Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2010; 16(37): 4733-4737
Published online Oct 7, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i37.4733
Ultrasonic elastography in clinical quantitative assessment of fatty liver
Yin-Yan Li, Xue-Mei Wang, Yi-Xia Zhang, Guo-Cheng Ou
Yin-Yan Li, Xue-Mei Wang, Yi-Xia Zhang, Guo-Cheng Ou, Department of Ultrasonic Diagnosis, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Li YY and Wang XM contributed equally to this work; Li YY and Wang XM designed the research; Li YY, Zhang YX and Ou GC performed the research; Li YY wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Xue-Mei Wang, MD, Department of Ultrasonic Diagnosis, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. wxmlmt@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-24-83282098 Fax: +86-24-82711153
Received: January 18, 2010
Revised: March 26, 2010
Accepted: April 2, 2010
Published online: October 7, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the clinical application of ultrasonic elastography in quantitative assessment of fatty liver grading.

METHODS: A total of 105 patients with fatty liver were divided into mild group (n = 46), moderate group (n = 39), and severe group (n = 20). Forty-five healthy individuals served as a normal control group. All patients who underwent routine ultrasound scan and further ultrasonic elastography were evaluated accordingly to the evaluation standards for ultrasonic elastography. The ratio of surface areas of blue region/total surface area in the desired region was measured.

RESULTS: Ultrasonic elastography technique, in comparison to traditional ultrasound, had a rather high consistence in grading of fatty liver [κ value = (95.3%-63.6%)/(1%-63.6%) = 0.87, P = 0.001]. The score of ultrasonic elastography increased with the severity of fatty liver with a sensitivity of 97.14% and a specificity of 91.11%. A significant difference was found in the ratio of surface areas of blue regions between different groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic elastography can be used in quantitative assessment of the severity of fatty liver.

Keywords: Transient elastography; Ultrasonic elastography evaluation; Fatty liver; Quantitative diagnosis; Grading of fatty liver