Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis and Inflammation Using Ultrasound Elastography

Abstract

There are two ultrasound elastography methods currently available for evaluating liver fibrosis: Strain Imaging and Shear Wave Elastography. Strain imaging can estimate the degree of liver fibrosis without the influence of inflammation whilst the Shear Wave Elastography measurement of fibrosis will be influenced by inflammation, congestion, and jaundice. The two elastography methods use different physical properties, so we examined whether a more accurate diagnosis of liver fibrosis and degree of inflammation is possible by using Real-time Tissue Elastography (RTE, a strain imaging method) and Shear Wave Measurement (SWM, a point Shear Wave Elastography method) simultaneously, and combining the results.