Biomed Eng Lett.  2017 May;7(2):81-89. 10.1007/s13534-017-0028-1.

Limitations and artifacts in shear-wave elastography of the liver

• Bruce M
• Kolokythas O
• Ferraioli
• Filice C
• O'Donnell

• KMID: 2385971
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-017-0028-1

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that real-time, two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) can monitor liver fibrosis by measuring tissue elasticity (i.e., elastic modulus). Two clinical studies of 2D-SWE in the liver have shown that there are several practical issues that can compromise quantitation of liver tissue elasticity. Both general ultrasound (US) limitations and limitations in the 2D-SWE method itself resulted in significant variability in estimated liver elasticity. The most common US limitations were: poor acoustic window, limited penetration, and rib/lung shadows. The most common 2D-SWE limitations were: reverberations under the liver capsule, respiratory/cardiac motion, and vessel pulsation/loss of SWE signal. Based on these studies, scan protocols have been optimized to minimize the influence of these limitations on liver elasticity quantification. These refined protocols should move non-invasive SWE closer to becoming the preferred tool to diagnose and manage many chronic diseases of the liver.

Keyword

Fibrosis; Shear-wave elasticity imaging; Acoustic radiation force; Shear modulus; Shear-wave speed; Liver stiffness

MeSH Terms

Acoustics
Artifacts*
Chronic Disease
Elasticity
Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Fibrosis
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver*
Methods
Ultrasonography