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European Radiology

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01-08-2017 | Ultrasound

Liver stiffness measurements with supersonic shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of biliary atresia: a comparative study with grey-scale US

Authors: Lu-yao Zhou, Hong Jiang, Quan-yuan Shan, Dong Chen, Xiao-na Lin, Bao-xian Liu, Xiao-yan Xie

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 8/2017

Abstract

Objectives

To prospectively assess the diagnostic performance of supersonic shear wave elastography (SSWE) in identifying biliary atresia (BA) among infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia by comparing this approach with grey-scale ultrasonography (US).

Methods

Forty infants were analysed as the control group to determine normal liver stiffness values. The use of SSWE values for identifying BA was investigated in 172 infants suspected of having BA, and results were compared with the results obtained by grey-scale US. The Mann-Whitney U test, unpaired t-test, Spearman correlation and linear regression were also performed.

Results

The success rates of SSWE measurements in the control and study group were 100% (40/40) and 96.4% (244/253), respectively. Age, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin all significantly correlated with SSWE in the liver (all P < 0.001). Linear regression showed that age had a greater effect on SSWE values than direct or indirect bilirubin. The diagnostic performance of liver stiffness values in identifying BA was lower than that of grey-scale US (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.790 vs 0.893, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

SSWE is feasible and valuable in differentiating BA from non-BA. However, its diagnostic performance does not exceed that of grey-scale US.

Key points

• SSWE could be successfully performed in an infant population.

• For infants, the liver stiffness will increase as age increases.

• SSWE is potentially useful in assessing infants suspected of biliary atresia.

• SSWE is inferior to grey-scale US in identifying biliary atresia.

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Title: Liver stiffness measurements with supersonic shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of biliary atresia: a comparative study with grey-scale US
Authors: Lu-yao Zhou
Hong Jiang
Quan-yuan Shan
Dong Chen
Xiao-na Lin
Bao-xian Liu
Xiao-yan Xie
Publication date: 01-08-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 8/2017
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4710-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Liver stiffness measurements with supersonic shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of biliary atresia: a comparative study with grey-scale US

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key points

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key points

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