Background: Achievement of sustained virological response [SVR] and improvement of hepatic fibrosis are the essential goals for therapy of chronic hepatitis C [CHC] with direct acting antivirals [DAAs] therapy. Early detection and management of hepatic fibrosis can significantly improve the prognosis of CHC in clinical practice. Aim of the work: To assess the effect of successful DAAs therapy on liver stiffness in patients with CHC. Methods: This study included 100 patients with chronic HCV-related liver disease. All were treated with Sofosbuvir-based regimen for 12 weeks on outpatient base. HCV treatment applied according to the protocol designed by the Egyptian National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis. Follow up continued for 12 weeks [after the end of treatment [EOT]] to estimate effect of successful DAAS therapy on liver stiffness using Shear Wave Elastography [SWE], aminotransferase-to platelet ratio index [APRI] and Fib-4 score before initiation of antiviral therapy, at end of treatment [EOT] and 12 weeks after EOT [SVR12]. Results: Platelets significantly increased, ALT and AST significantly decreased and mean values of APRI, Fib-4 score and Liver stiffness assessment were significantly reduced in all patients at SVR12. Hemoglobin levels significantly reduced in patients receiving ribavirin 12 weeks after EOT. Conclusions: Elimination of HCV after successful DAAS treatment was associated with a significant improvement of the liver stiffness at both EOT and 12 weeks afterwards EOT as evidenced by SWE, Fib-4 score and APRI index.

Background: Chest high-resolution computed tomography [HRCT] is considered the "gold" standard for radiological diagnosis of interstitial lung disease [ILD]. However, it is not available in all health care facilities and its high cost is a limitation for its wide use. Ultrasound could provide a suitable alternative. Aim of the work: To detect the role of transthoracic lung ultrasonography [LUS] in diagnosis and assessment of ILD and to correlate it with HRCT as a gold-standard diagnostic modality. Methods: This included fifty patients who were admitted with clinical features suggestive of ILD. All were clinically evaluated [by full history and physical examination], submitted to pulmonary functions, arterial blood gases, lung ultrasound and HRCT. Results: The total sum of B-lines was 72.64 ± 39.45 and the total positive chest areas [> 3 B-lines] 6.47 ± 2.35. The most common ultrasound finding was thick pleural line. Finally, there was positive [proportional], moderate, significant correlation between Warrick's score [HRCT] and B-lines distance [LUS]. However, Warrick score correlated negatively with each of six-minute walk test, partial arterial oxygen tension and forced vital capacity. Conclusions: Lung ultrasound as a diagnostic modality for ILD reveled that, it is a useful tool, as there was good correlation between LUS and HRCT. LUS is cheap, accessible and radiation-free diagnostic tool. It could play a stand alone or a complementary role in the diagnosis and monitoring of ILD.