Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38734997›Full record

ArticleInsights into imaging2024

Determining the ideal measurement site and respiratory condition for liver transient elastography: toward clinical practice standardization.

Zihao Huang, Sai Kit Lam, Lok Kan Cheng, Yangmin Lin, Yongping Zheng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Insights into imaging, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zihao HuangDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Sai Kit LamDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Lok Kan ChengDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Yangmin LinDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Yongping ZhengDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. yongping.zheng@polyu.edu.hk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3407-9226

Funding

Hong Kong Polytechnic University 1-CD5B
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesLiver transient elastography (TE) has been endorsed by the WHO as the first-line diagnostic tool for liver diseases. Although unreliable and invalid results caused by intercostal space (ICS)-associated factors (including excessive subcutaneous fat and a narrow ICS relative to the transducer size) and operator inexperience are not uncommon, no standard guidelines for ideal probe placement are currently available. Herein, we conducted a prospective observational study to identify an ideal measurement site and respiratory condition for TE by characterizing anatomical and biomechanical properties of the ICSs using ultrasound B-mode and elasticity imaging.

methodsIntercostal ultrasound was performed pointwise at four specific sites in 59 patients to simultaneously measure the width, stiffness, and skin‒liver capsule distance (SCD) of the ICSs over the liver, under end-inspiratory and end-expiratory conditions. Intersections between the 8th ICS and anterior axillary line, the 7th ICS and anterior axillary line, the 8th ICS and mid-axillary line, and the 7th ICS and mid-axillary line were defined as Sites 1 to 4, respectively.

resultsResults indicated that Sites 2 and 3 presented greater intercostal width; Sites 3 and 4 displayed lower intercostal stiffness; Sites 2 and 3 exhibited a shorter SCD. The ICSs were significantly wider and stiffer at end-inspiration. Additionally, the liver was more easily visualized at Sites 1 and 3.

conclusionWe recommend Site 3 for TE probe placement owing to its greater width, lower stiffness, and smaller abdominal wall thickness. Performing TE at end-inspiration is preferred to minimize transducer-rib interferences. This study paves the way toward a standardized TE examination procedure. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A standardized measurement protocol for WHO-recommended liver TE was first established to improve the success and efficiency of the examination procedure. KEY POINTS: WHO-recommended TE is unreliable or fails due to intercostal space-related factors. The 8th intercostal space on the mid-axillary line and end-inspiration are recommended. This standardized protocol aids in handling challenging cases and simplifies operational procedures.

Indexed as

Intercostal imagingLiver elastographyMeasurement guidelineMeasurement protocolUltrasound elastography

Identifiers

PMID38734997
PMCPMC11089024

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.