{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Intra-individual comparison of two-dimensional shear wave elastography techniques using plane wave imaging and the multi-beam technique: are they interchangeable in measuring liver fibrosis?
{Author}: Kim JH;Yoon JH;Joo I;Lee JM;
{Journal}: Ultrasonography
{Volume}: 42
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: Apr 2023
{Factor}: 4.725
{DOI}: 10.14366/usg.22135
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study compared two different two-dimensional shear wave elastography techniques-plane wave imaging (PWI) and multi-beam (MB) imaging-from the same vendor to evaluate liver fibrosis.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>In this prospective study, 42 patients with chronic liver disease who had recently undergone magnetic resonance elastography (<3 months) were enrolled, and their liver stiffness (LS) values were measured using PWI or MB. The LS values (kPa) were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Inter-technique reproducibility and intra-observer repeatability were assessed using Bland-Altman analysis with 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and coefficients of variation (CVs). The cutoff values for predicting severe fibrosis (≥F3) were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, with magnetic resonance elastography as the reference standard.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>PWI exhibited technical failure in four patients. Therefore, 38 patients underwent both examinations. The LS values showed moderate agreement between PWI and MB (CV, 22.5%) and 95% LOA of -3.71 to 7.44 kPa. The MB technique showed good intra-observer agreement (CV, 8.1%), while PWI showed moderate agreement (CV, 11.0%). The cutoff values of PWI and MB for diagnosing ≥F3 were 12.3 kPa and 13.8 kPa, respectively, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.89 and 0.95 (sensitivity, 100% and 100%; specificity, 65.6% and 85.7%).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The LS values significantly differed between PWI and MB, hindering their interchangeable use in longitudinal follow-up. Considering its low technical failure rate and better repeatability, the MB technique may be preferable for evaluating liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease patients.