Real-time transient elastography on standard ultrasound using mechanically induced vibration: System design and initial results

Azar, Reza Zahiri; Seybold, Lisa; Kerby, Benjamin; Bernardo, Sergio; Cheung, Chris C. P.; Dickie, Kris; Pelissier, Laurent

doi:10.1109/ultsym.2011.0593

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Previous studies explored the incorporation of B-mode guidance into TE, but they have some pitfalls. Azar et al [ 45 ] affixed a vibration actuator on the side surface of a conventional convex probe. Although this design offers a wider FOV, its curvilinear shape is subject to increased rib interferences due to a larger footprint and may lead to complex vibration sources.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Palm-Sized Wireless Transient Elastography System with Real-Time B-Mode Ultrasound Imaging Guidance: Toward Point-of-Care Liver Fibrosis Assessment

Huang,

Wang,

Cai

et al. 2024

Diagnostics

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Transient elastography (TE), recommended by the WHO, is an established method for characterizing liver fibrosis via liver stiffness measurement (LSM). However, technical barriers remain towards point-of-care application, as conventional TE requires wired connections, possesses a bulky size, and lacks adequate imaging guidance for precise liver localization. In this work, we report the design, phantom validation, and clinical evaluation of a palm-sized TE system that enables simultaneous B-mode imaging and LSM. The performance of this system was validated experimentally using tissue-equivalent reference phantoms (1.45–75 kPa). Comparative studies against other liver elastography techniques, including conventional TE and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), were performed to evaluate its reliability and validity in adults with various chronic liver diseases. Intra- and inter-operator reliability of LSM were established by an elastography expert and a novice. A good agreement was observed between the Young’s modulus reported by the phantom manufacturer and this system (bias: 1.1–8.6%). Among 121 patients, liver stiffness measured by this system and conventional TE were highly correlated (r = 0.975) and strongly agreed with each other (mean difference: −0.77 kPa). Inter-correlation of this system with conventional TE and 2D-SWE was observed. Excellent-to-good operator reliability was demonstrated in 60 patients (ICCs: 0.824–0.913). We demonstrated the feasibility of employing a fully integrated phased array probe for reliable and valid LSM, guided by real-time B-mode imaging of liver anatomy. This system represents the first technical advancement toward point-of-care liver fibrosis assessment. Its small footprint, along with B-mode guidance capability, improves examination efficiency and scales up screening for liver fibrosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%