Reproducibility of real-time shear wave elastography in the evaluation of liver elasticity

• Published in: European journal of radiology Vol. 81; no. 11; pp. 3102 - 3106
• Main Authors: Ferraioli, Giovanna, Tinelli, Carmine, Zicchetti, Mabel, Above, Elisabetta, Poma, Gianluigi, Di Gregorio, Marta, Filice, Carlo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Algorithms; Computer Systems; Elastic Modulus - physiology; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - methods; Elastography; Female; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Intraclass correlation coefficient; Liver; Liver - diagnostic imaging; Liver - physiology; Middle Aged; Observer Variation; Radiology; Reproducibility of Results; Reproducibility studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasound; Young Adult; Reproducibility studies; Intraclass correlation coefficient; Ultrasound; Elastography; Liver
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.05.030

To evaluate the reproducibility of real-time shear wave elastography in assessing liver elasticity in healthy volunteers. Forty-two volunteers were studied in day 1. Shear wave elastography studies were performed by using the ultrasound system Aixplorer™ (SuperSonic Imagine S.A., Aix-en-Provence, France) with a convex broadband probe. Measurements were carried by two operators, an expert (operator 1) and a novice (operator 2). Examinations were performed on the right lobe of the liver. Each operator performed 10 consecutive measurements in each volunteer. In a subset of volunteers (n=18) measurements were performed twice on two different days (day 1 and day 2). Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient. Intraobserver agreement between measurements performed in the same subject in the same day (day 1 or day 2) showed intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.93–0.98) and 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.90–0.96) for operator 1 and operator 2, respectively. Intraobserver agreement between measurements performed in the same subject in different days showed intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.98) and 0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.91) for operator 1 and operator 2, respectively. Interobserver agreement was 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.94). The results of this study show that shear wave elastography is a reliable and reproducible noninvasive method for the assessment of liver elasticity. Expert operator had higher reproducibility of measurements over time than novice operator.