General protocol For all of the ultrasound (US) shear wave elastography (SWE) techniques (vibration controlled transient elastography [VCTE], point shear wave elastography [pSWE] and two-dimensional shear wave elastography [2D-SWE]), adherence…
Introduction Portal hypertension (PH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by an increase of the pressure gradient between the portal vein (PV) and the inferior vena cava (IVC) above 5 mmHg…
Overview of artifacts in liver shear wave elastography The use of shear wave elastography techniques proves valuable in providing qualitative and quantitative elasticity maps of the liver. There are, however,…
Introduction Worldwide, obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, as of 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults 18 years or older were overweight, and,…
Introduction Chronic liver disease is a major worldwide health problem. It may be due to several etiological factors that lead to necroinflammation with subsequent fibrosis (i.e., formation of scar tissue)….
Introduction Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) is a continually developing technology that provides biomechanical information concerning tissue elasticity (stiffness) by emitting a push pulse, which generates laterally propagating shear waves…
Before scanning the patient It is important to remember that liver stiffness is measured, not liver fibrosis. Liver stiffness is influenced by fibrosis, inflammation, and congestion. Therefore obtaining clinical information…
Overview Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and in Chapter 1 the extent of the problem is fully discussed. There are now effective…
Introduction Guidelines for the use of elastography in diffuse liver disease have been released by societies or federations of societies. The first set of guidelines was released by European Federation…
Introduction Shear wave elastography (SWE) assesses stiffness, not fibrosis. In addition to fibrosis, there are some factors or clinical conditions that may lead to an increase of liver stiffness (LS)….
