Comparison of acoustic radiation force impulse and supersonic shear imaging in diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Objective To compare acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and supersonic shear imaging (SWE) in diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods Eighty patients with chronic hepatitis B having underwent ARFI and SWE examination were enrolled in this study. The elastic modulus E value(EI) was measured by SWE. The liver shear wave velocity (VTQ) was measured by ARFI. All patients underwent liver biopsy. The diagnostic values of SWE and ARFI for liver fibrosis were analyzed with Sperman correlation and the ROC curve. Results The values of EI and VTQ were increased with the pathological stage determined by liver biopsy and there were significantly differences (P < 0.01). The correlation coefficient of SWE and ARFI was 0.651, P < 0.01. The correlation coefficient of SWE, ARFI and pathological stage determined by liver biopsy were 0.784 and 0.683 and there were significant differences (P < 0.01). The areas under ROC for diagnosing liver fibrosis ≥ S2, ≥ S3 and =S4 by using SWE were 0.912, 0.934 and 0.955 respectively and those by using ARFI were 0.870, 0.892 and 0.884. The sensitivity of ARFI in diagnosing liver fibrosis was similar with SWE, but SWE showed higher specificity (Z=8.756, P < 0.01; Z=10.802, P < 0.01; Z=15.871, P < 0.01). Conclusions Both SWE and ARFI can be effectively used in the evaluation of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The SWE technology has more advantages. Key words: Liver fibrosis; Acoustic radiation force impulse; Supersonic shear imaging