Paraskevi Galina1,2, Efthymia Alexopoulou3, Aglaia Zellos4, Virginia Grigoraki5, Tania Siahanidou6, Nikolaos L Kelekis3, Maria Zarifi5. 1. Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Thivon & Papadiamantopoulou, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece. galviv@gmail.com. 2. Department of Radiology, General University Hospital "ATTIKON", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. galviv@gmail.com. 3. Department of Radiology, General University Hospital "ATTIKON", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. 4. 1st Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece. 5. Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Thivon & Papadiamantopoulou, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece. 6. 1st Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional (2-D) shear wave elastography is a new sonographic elastography method for noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish reference values of normal liver stiffness on 2-D shear wave elastography in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography values were measured in 202 children with no liver disease from the neonatal period to puberty, who were divided into 4 age groups: newborns and infants, preschoolers, elementary school children and adolescents. We investigated the effects of age, depth of elastography measurement, transducer, number of measurements per child, liver size and Doppler parameters of hepatic blood flow on liver elasticity values. RESULTS: The mean normal liver elasticity value in the study population was: 4.29±0.59 kilopascals (kPa). In neonates and infants, mean liver elasticity value was 4.63 (± 0.6) kPa, in preschoolers and elementary school children, 4.05 (± 0.57) kPa and 4.15 (± 0.52) kPa, respectively, and in adolescents, 4.39 (± 0.55) kPa. Values in neonates and infants as well as adolescents were significantly higher than in preschoolers and elementary school children (Kruskal-Wallis, P<0.001; Mann-Whitney U tests, P<0.05). There was no significant association between liver elasticity values and size of the right lobe or Doppler parameters of hepatic blood flow. Different depths and the number of elastography measurements had no effect on liver elasticity values. CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography is achievable in a wide range of age in children. We established the reference values of normal liver stiffness on 2-D shear wave elastography in children.
BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional (2-D) shear wave elastography is a new sonographic elastography method for noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish reference values of normal liver stiffness on 2-D shear wave elastography in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography values were measured in 202 children with no liver disease from the neonatal period to puberty, who were divided into 4 age groups: newborns and infants, preschoolers, elementary school children and adolescents. We investigated the effects of age, depth of elastography measurement, transducer, number of measurements per child, liver size and Doppler parameters of hepatic blood flow on liver elasticity values. RESULTS: The mean normal liver elasticity value in the study population was: 4.29±0.59 kilopascals (kPa). In neonates and infants, mean liver elasticity value was 4.63 (± 0.6) kPa, in preschoolers and elementary school children, 4.05 (± 0.57) kPa and 4.15 (± 0.52) kPa, respectively, and in adolescents, 4.39 (± 0.55) kPa. Values in neonates and infants as well as adolescents were significantly higher than in preschoolers and elementary school children (Kruskal-Wallis, P<0.001; Mann-Whitney U tests, P<0.05). There was no significant association between liver elasticity values and size of the right lobe or Doppler parameters of hepatic blood flow. Different depths and the number of elastography measurements had no effect on liver elasticity values. CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography is achievable in a wide range of age in children. We established the reference values of normal liver stiffness on 2-D shear wave elastography in children.