Influence of Measurement Depth on the Stiffness Assessment ofHealthy Liver with Real-Time Shear Wave Elastography

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the measurement depth range within which liver stiffness can be reliably assessed using real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) technology. Measurements were performed on phantoms and healthy volunteers. In the first group of patients, measurements were performed at depths of 2-8cm from the probe surface. In the second group of patients, measurements were conducted 0-7cm below the liver capsule. Success rate of measurements (SRoM), success rate of patients (SRoS) and coefficients of variation (CVs) of repeated measurements were compared. The SRoMs at 3-7cm and the CVs at 2-5cm from the probe surface were significantly higher and lower than those at other depths (p<0.001), respectively. SRoS was zero 0-1cm below the liver capsule. Furthermore, the features of 2-D stiffness mapping images were also found to change with depth. According to our results, the depth range for the most reliable liver stiffness assessment using SWE should be 3-5cm from the probe surface and simultaneously 1-2cm below the liver capsule.