Ultrasound Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis

Early diagnosis of liver fibrosis is an important factor affecting the efficacy of chronic hepatitis treatment. In the past, the diagnosis of liver fibrosis was dependent on a liver biopsy which has several shortcomings as sampling error, intra- or inter-observation variations and possible procedure-related complications. Ultrasound-based elastography, tissue elastography (TE) and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) have been developed to assess liver fibrosis. Current clinical evidence indicates that TE and ARFI had high sensitivities and specificities to diagnosis from significant fibrosis to liver cirrhosis. TE and ARFI can not only assess liver fibrosis but can also be used to predict prognosis. In practical, ARFI can also be used on a regular basis to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis for chronic hepatitis B and C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcoholic liver disease.