NON INVASIVE ASSESSMENT OF LIVER FIBROSIS USING ULTRASOUND POINT SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY

Abstract

Aim\n To prospectively determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of point shear wave elastography as a non-invasive method in the diagnosis of clinically significant hepatic fibrosis with various etiologies of liver using liver biopsy as gold standard.To determine the stiffness cut-off values for point shear wave elastography (pSWE) diagnosis of clinically significant hepatic fibrosis.\nMethods\nFifty patients with elevated liver enzymes were examined by point shear wave Elastography and they subsequently underwent percutaneous liver biopsy. Ultrasound Elastography findings were correlated with the histopathology fibrosis staging (METAVIR / Brunt Scoring)\nResults\n Liver stiffness value of >7.6 kPa was cut-off for clinically significant fibrosis and had a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 78.3% and an accuracy of 86%. \nConclusions\nElastPQ is a non-invasive and sensitive technique for determining the clinically significant liver fibrosis in patients with various etiologies.