Does experience play a role in the ability to perform liver stiffness measurements by means of supersonic shear imaging (SSI)?

作者：Gradinaru Tascau Oana^*; Sporea Ioan; Bota Simona; Jurchis Ana; Popescu Alina; Popescu Madalina; Sirli Roxana; Szilaski Milana

来源：Medical Ultrasonography, 2013, 15(3): 180-183.

• liver stiffness
• Supersonic Shear Imaging
• Transient Elastography
• Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse elastography

The aim of this study was to identify if the experience of the examiner does plays a role in the ability to perform liver stiffness (LS) measurements by means of supersonic shear imaging (SSI) due to the lack of recommendation regarding this issue. Material and methods: The study included 371 consecutive subjects (42% men and 58% women, with a median age of 48 years, ranging between 17-85 years) with or without hepatopathies, in which LS was evaluated with an AixplorerTM ultrasound system (SuperSonic Imagine S. A., Aix-en-Provence, France). Reliable LS measurements by means of SSI were defined as the median value of 5 LS measurements expressed in kilopascals (kPa). The SSI measurements were performed by a novice (with less than 300 abdominal ultrasound examinations performed) or by a more experienced operator (with approximately 500 ultrasound examinations performed). The results of both operators were compared. Results: The novice performed 57.4% and the more experienced operator 42.6% of the SSI measurements. The more experienced operator had a higher rate of reliable examinations as compared with the novice: 87.4% vs. 72.8% (p=0.001). The rate of reliable measurements was similar for novice and experienced operator in patients with a normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) and in overweight patients (BMI between 25.1-29.9 kg/m(2)), 92.3% vs. 97.5%, p=0.24, respectively 71.1% vs 80.4%, p=0.39. For obese patients (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2)) the rate of reliable LS measurements was significantly higher for the more experienced operator as compared with the novice: 73.4% vs 45.9%, p=0.03. Conclusions: It seems that experience in liver ultrasonography plays a role in the ability to perform LS measurements by means of SSI and leads to achieving more reliable LS measurements especially in obese subjects.

• 出版日期2013-9