No abstract

Objectives The purposes of this study were to investigate interobserver reproducibility using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and to develop an acoustic radiation force impulse scoring system. Methods Fifty healthy volunteers with normal liver function test values were selected for the study. Shear wave velocity measurements, expressed in meters per second, were taken in a deep portion of liver segment 6. Two observers with different levels of experience performed the measurements independently and blindly. Results All of the measurements taken by the 2 observers were valid, even in volunteers with a body mass index of greater than 28 kg/m2. The results point to very good interobserver reproducibility of shear wave velocity measurements, with an intraclass coefficient correlation of 0.86 (P < .001). Conclusions The results of this study show that shear wave velocity measurements using the acoustic radiation force impulse technique and a standardized protocol are accurate and reproducible.

• Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging provides ultrasonic shear wave velocity measurements. • SWV measurements were higher in patients with inflammation or fibrosis than NAFLD. • ARFI differentiates NAFLD from NASH in patients with morbid obesity. • Results suggest that ARFI can detect NASH in asymptomatic morbidly obese patients.

The present study shows a good correlation between GICS categories and histological diagnosis.

The conventional balloon method of performing RUG is painful and, in some cases, not effective. The clamp method is a simple, well-tolerated procedure that allowed diagnostic evaluation in all cases. Drip infusion enables RUG and VCUG to be performed without the need for syringes or bladder catheters, thus increasing patient comfort.