Potential role of two-dimensional shear wave elastography, including liver stiffness measurement and dispersion slope, for management of chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Purpose This study assessed the use of liver stiffness (LS) and dispersion slope (DS) in classifying patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by the necessity of antiviral treatment. Methods A retrospective review examined 249 patients with CHB (male:female, 107:142; mean age, 53±14 years) between April 2018 and March 2022. Patients for whom treatment was indicated, termed group 1, exhibited either serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase levels not exceeding five times the upper limit of normal and LS >13 kPa, or hepatitis B virus DNA >2,000 IU/mL and ALT >40 IU/L. The remaining patients comprised group 2 (treatment not required). In subgroup analysis, patients with LS 0.05). Conclusion LS and DS assist in classifying patients with CHB by their need for antiviral treatment.

Keywords

• liver
• fibrosis
• ultrasonography
• two-dimensional shear wave elastography
• hepatitis b