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01-02-2015 | Gastrointestinal

Characterization of fortuitously discovered focal liver lesions: additional information provided by shearwave elastography

Authors: Maxime Ronot, Sara Di Renzo, Bettina Gregoli, Rafael Duran, Laurent Castera, Bernard E. Van Beers, Valérie Vilgrain

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

Objectives

To prospectively assess the stiffness of incidentally discovered focal liver lesions (FLL) with no history of chronic liver disease or extrahepatic cancer using shearwave elastography (SWE).

Methods

Between June 2011 and May 2012, all FLL fortuitously discovered on ultrasound examination were prospectively included. For each lesion, stiffness was measured (kPa). Characterization of the lesion relied on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or contrast-enhanced ultrasound, or biopsy. Tumour stiffness was analysed using ANOVA and non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests.

Results

105 lesions were successfully evaluated in 73 patients (61 women, 84 %) with a mean age of 44.8 (range: 20‒75). The mean stiffness was 33.3 ± 12.7 kPa for the 60 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 19.7 ± 9.8 k Pa for the 17 hepatocellular adenomas (HCA), 17.1 ± 7 kPa for the 20 haemangiomas, 11.3 ± 4.3 kPa for the five focal fatty sparing, 34.1 ± 7.3 kPa for the two cholangiocarcinomas, and 19.6 kPa for one hepatocellular carcinoma (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between the benign and the malignant groups (p = 0.64). FNHs were significantly stiffer than HCAs (p < 0.0001). Telangiectatic/inflammatory HCAs were significantly stiffer than the steatotic HCAs (p = 0.014). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for differentiating FNH from other lesions was 0.86 ± 0.04.

Conclusion

SWE may provide additional information for the characterization of FFL, and may help in differentiating FNH from HCAs, and in subtyping HCAs.

Key Points

• SWE might be helpful for the characterization of solid focal liver lesions

• SWE cannot differentiate benign from malignant liver lesions

• FNHs are significantly stiffer than other benign lesions

• Telangiectatic/inflammatory HCA are significantly stiffer than steatotic ones

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Title: Characterization of fortuitously discovered focal liver lesions: additional information provided by shearwave elastography
Authors: Maxime Ronot
Sara Di Renzo
Bettina Gregoli
Rafael Duran
Laurent Castera
Bernard E. Van Beers
Valérie Vilgrain
Publication date: 01-02-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3370-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Characterization of fortuitously discovered focal liver lesions: additional information provided by shearwave elastography

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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