Comparative study on clinical and pathological changes of liver fibrosis with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography imaging

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical values of acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI) elastography for liver fibrosis on hepatopath patients.Methods ARFI elastography was prospectively performed on 99 patients prepared to undergo hepatic surgery to get a shear wave velocity(Vs) which was the representative of liver stiffness.The fibrosis stages,inflammation grades and steatosis grades were evaluated histologically after surgery.Values of Vs were compared with the histological results.Results Values of Vs with fibrosis stage 0-4 was (1.14 ± 0.22) m/s,(1.30 ± 0.22) m/s,(1.36 ± 0.38) m/s,(1.47 ± 0.37)m/s and (1.87 ± 0.08) m/s,respectively.A significant difference was observed among them (P ＜0.001).There was a certain correlation between Vs and fibrosis stage(r =0.541,P ＜0.001).Vs was a significant predictor of stage ≥3 fibrosis with an area under the ROC curve of 0.812,sensitivity 73.2％ and specificity 81.4％ when 1.40 m/s was the cutoff value (P ＜ 0.001).Values of Vs with inflammation grade 0-3 was (1.17 ± 0.16)m/s,(1.43 ± 0.36) m/s,(1.59 ± 0.53) m/s and (1.89 ± 0.59) m/s,respectively,which were significantly different (P ＜ 0.001).A certain correlation was observed between Vs and inflammation grade(r =0.383,P ＜0.001).Values of Vs with steatosis grade 0-4 was (1.61 ±0.42) m/s,(1.47±0.58) m/s,(1.56 ± 0.71)m/s,1.13 m/s and (0.94 ± 0.95) m/s.Obvious difference didn't exist between Vs and steatosis grade (P =0.286).Obvious correlation wasn't observed between them,either (r =-0.177,P =0.080).Conclusions ARFI elastography has a certain value for the evaluation of liver fibrosis,while inflammation grade may affect its performance. Key words: Ultrasonography; Liver cirrhosis; Acoustic radiation force impulse