Ultrasound elastography and its role in the research of diffuse liver diseases

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Ultrasound elastography method takes an important place in the modern hepatology. Research is non-invasive, does not have complications and is quite cost-effective. In many cases, elastography research is presented as alternative way of liver biopsy. In this article we are going to review the technical features of various ultrasound elastography methods and describe diferrences between them. Current and future researches are basis of development and improvement of this method, which provide more credibility and perspective of accuracy of results.

Aim: Review of literature aims to briefly summarize existing knowledge about ultrasound elastography, to present its role and point out future research aspects.

Method:  We looked for and considered 2006-2021 articles from PubMed and Google Scholar Medical Data bases, which include the following key words: liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, ultrasound, transient elastography, real-time elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse elastography, two-dimensional shear wave elastography.

Results: The results of research confirm great importance of ultrasound elastography in assessment of diffuse liver diseases.

Conclusion:   Our literature review affirms, that described non-invasive research methods provide important information during chronic liver disease. There is not difficulty to produce it technically and is allowed to use them in freely in screening researches. Certainly, elastography study has some restrictions. There was pointed out that results at the early stages of fibrosis are less credible, that’s why it is essential to carry out new studies that ultrasound elastography methods gain more credibility in this regard.

Keywords:

Liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, transient elastography, real-time elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse elastography, two-dimensional shear wave elastography.