| Theme |
Abdominal Ultrasonography up-to-date |
| Title |
Ultrasound Elastography of the Liver |
| Author |
Ryosuke Tateishi |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Ryota Masuzaki |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Kazuhiko Koike |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] |
Ultrasonographic (US) elastography was developed as a non-invasive tool for evaluating liver fibrosis. Fibroscan, one type of US elastography equipment, helps evaluate liver stiffness by measuring velocity of elastic shear waves transmitted from a probe. Liver stiffness measured by transient elastography, correlates well with liver fibrosis stage. We reported in a prospective study which investigated the correlation between liver stiffness and liver cancer development in 866 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The risk of liver cancer was clearly correlated in relation to degree of liver stiffness, particularly in those diagnosed as having liver cirrhosis. Liver stiffness measurement can be superior to that achieved with liver biopsies in terms of risk assessment for liver cancer because the former can discriminate the risk for patients who are liver cirrhotics. |