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Huang ZH, Wang LK, Cai SY, Chen HX, Zhou Y, Cheng LK, Lin YW, Zheng MH, Zheng YP. Palm-Sized Wireless Transient Elastography System with Real-Time B-Mode Ultrasound Imaging Guidance: Toward Point-of-Care Liver Fibrosis Assessment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:189. [PMID: 38248066 PMCID: PMC11154523 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Hao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (Z.-H.H.); (L.-K.W.); (L.-K.C.)
| | - Li-Ke Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (Z.-H.H.); (L.-K.W.); (L.-K.C.)
| | - Shang-Yu Cai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China; (S.-Y.C.); (H.-X.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Hao-Xin Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China; (S.-Y.C.); (H.-X.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjin Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China; (S.-Y.C.); (H.-X.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Lok-Kan Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (Z.-H.H.); (L.-K.W.); (L.-K.C.)
| | - Yi-Wei Lin
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; (Y.-W.L.); (M.-H.Z.)
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; (Y.-W.L.); (M.-H.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (Z.-H.H.); (L.-K.W.); (L.-K.C.)
- Research Institute for Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Carbente RP, Maia JM, Assef AA. Image reconstruction utilizing median filtering applied to elastography. Biomed Eng Online 2019; 18:22. [PMID: 30866955 PMCID: PMC6417019 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-019-0641-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The resources of ultrafast technology can be used to add another analysis to ultrasound imaging: assessment of tissue viscoelasticity. Ultrafast image formation can be utilized to find transitory shear waves propagating in soft tissue, which permits quantification of the mechanical properties of the tissue via elastography. This technique permits simple and noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of disease. METHODS This article presents a method to estimate the viscoelastic properties and rigidity of structures using the ultrasound technique known as shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI). The Verasonics Vantage 128 research platform and L11-4v transducer were used to acquire radio frequency signals from a model 049A elastography phantom (CIRS, USA), with subsequent processing and analysis in MATLAB. RESULTS The images and indexes obtained reflect the qualitative measurements of the different regions of inclusions in the phantom and the respective alterations in the viscoelastic properties of distinct areas. Comparison of the results obtained with this proposed technique and other commonly used techniques demonstrates the characteristics of median filtering in smoothing variations in velocity to form elastographic images. The results from the technique proposed in this study are within the margins of error indicated by the phantom manufacturer for each type of inclusion; for the phantom base and for type I, II, III, and IV inclusions, respectively, in kPa and percentage errors, these are 25 (24.0%), 8 (37.5%), 14 (28.6%), 45 (17.8%), and 80 (15.0%). The values obtained using the method proposed in this study and mean percentage errors were 29.18 (- 16.7%), 10.26 (- 28.2%), 15.64 (- 11.7%), 45.81 (- 1.8%), and 85.21 (- 6.5%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The new technique to obtain images uses a distinct filtering function which considers the mean velocity in the region around each pixel, in turn allowing adjustments according to the characteristics of the phantom inclusions within the ultrasound and optimizing the resulting elastographic images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubem P Carbente
- Electrical Engineering Department and the Graduate School of Electrical Engineering (DAELT), Federal University of Technology-Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Joaquim M Maia
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department and the Graduate School of Electrical Engineering and Applied Computer Sciences (DAELT-DAELN-CPGEI), Federal University of Technology-Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Amauri A Assef
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department and the Graduate School of Electrical Engineering and Applied Computer Sciences (DAELT-DAELN-CPGEI), Federal University of Technology-Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Ahmed R, Gerber SA, McAleavey SA, Schifitto G, Doyley MM. Plane-Wave Imaging Improves Single-Track Location Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2018; 65:1402-1414. [PMID: 29993543 PMCID: PMC6117195 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2018.2842468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Single-track location shear wave elasticity imaging (STL-SWEI) is immune to speckle bias, but the quality of the images is depth dependent. We hypothesize that plane-wave imaging can reduce the depth dependence of STL-SWEI. To test this hypothesis, we developed a novel technique known as plane-wave STL-SWEI (pSTL-SWEI). To evaluate the pSTL-SWEI's potential, we performed studies on phantoms and excised murine pancreatic tumors. The mean shear wave speeds measured with STL-SWEI and pSTL-SWEI were similar. However, the elastographic signal-to-noise ratio (SNRe) of pSTL-SWEI elastograms was noticeably higher than that produced with STL-SWEI. Specifically, we observed an improvement in SNRe ranging from 39.9%-55.1%, depending on tissue stiffness. The spatial resolution of pSTL-SWEI elastograms was 2.7%-12.1% lower than that produced with STL-SWEI. pSTL-SWEI elastograms displayed higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRe) than those produced with STL-SWEI, especially when imaging was performed with low push pulse intensities and low pulse durations.
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Bastard C, Miette V, Calès P, Stefanescu H, Festi D, Sandrin L. A Novel FibroScan Examination Dedicated to Spleen Stiffness Measurement. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1616-1626. [PMID: 29731186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal varices (EVs) are among the most severe complications of cirrhosis, with a prevalence of 50% to 60% among cirrhotic patients. International guidelines therefore recommend that cirrhotic patients should be screened for the presence of EVs. The main objective of this study was to introduce a new spleen-dedicated FibroScan (Echosens, Paris, France) examination and to assess its performance in detecting large EVs (grade 2 and 3). This novel examination has been validated in simulation and phantom studies and has been used in a population of patients with chronic liver disease. The study described here suggests that the novel spleen-dedicated FibroScan examination performs better than the standard FibroScan for the detection of large EVs (area under the curve = 0.70 for the standard examination and 0.79 [p <0.01] for the spleen examination), but further clinical studies are needed to investigate the role of spleen stiffness in the management of cirrhotic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Calès
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Horia Stefanescu
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Davide Festi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Mao X, Fan C, Yu X, Chen B, Jin F. DDEFL1 correlated with Rho GTPases activity in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:112487-112497. [PMID: 29348842 PMCID: PMC5762527 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
DDEFL1 is related to maintaining a limiting amount of ARF6 in GTP-loaded form by accelerating its GTP hydrolysis activity, which has been implicated in hepatocellular cancer pathogenesis and lung cancer development. We investigated DDEFL1 expression in breast cancer and paired normal breast tissues by immunohistochemistry and found that DDEFL1 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, high content of elastosis and TNM stage but not with menopausal status or age. We detected the mRNA and protein expression of DDEFL1 in breast cancer cell lines by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). DDEFL1 was obvious in MDA-MB-435s and MDA-MB-231 but very weak in ZR-75-1. Further experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of DDEFL1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection on the biological behavior of MDA-MB-231. After transfection, the effects of DDEFL1 inhibition on expression of mRNA and protein were also analyzed by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. Increased apoptosis and invasive ability, decreased cellular proliferation was found in MDA-MB-231 with successful DDEFL1 siRNA transient transfection (p < 0.05). Western blotting and qRT-PCR results showed that the DDEFL1 inhibition up-regulated Caspase-3, Apaf-1, cytochrome c, and Bax expression and down-regulated Bcl-2 expression. The DDEFL1 inhibition also down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of Rho, CDC42 and Rac1. Our study provided a functional linkage through DDEFL1 with breast cancer biological behaviours by Rho GTPases. Possible implication of our main finding for the DDEFL1 role in breast cancer and the downstream signaling pathways for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Mao
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Chuifeng Fan
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Xinmiao Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
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Model-dependent and model-independent approaches for evaluating hepatic fibrosis in rat liver using shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry. Med Eng Phys 2017; 39:66-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Sasso M, Liu Y, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Bouillot JL, Abdennour M, Clet M, Sandrin L, le Naour G, Bedossa P, Tordjman J, Clément K, Miette V. AdipoScan: A Novel Transient Elastography-Based Tool Used to Non-Invasively Assess Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Shear Wave Speed in Obesity. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:2401-2413. [PMID: 27471115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We describe a novel device called the AdipoScan that was adapted from the FibroScan to specifically assess shear wave speed (SWS) in human abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT). Measurement reproducibility was assessed on tissue-mimicking phantoms with and without repositioning, with resultant coefficients of variation of 1% and 0%, respectively, as well as in vivo (14% and 7%, respectively). The applicability of the AdipoScan was tested on 19 non-obese volunteers, and a scAT thickness >2 cm was found to be mandatory to perform a valid measurement. Abdominal scAT SWS was assessed in 73 severely obese subjects, all candidates for bariatric surgery. Subcutaneous AT SWS was positively associated with scAT fibrosis and obesity-related co-morbidities such as hypertension, glycemic status, dyslipidemia and liver dysfunction. These results suggest that the AdipoScan could be a useful non-invasive tool to evaluate scAT fibrosis and metabolic complications in obesity. Further investigation is required to evaluate the relevance of using the AdipoScan to predict patient weight trajectories and metabolic outcomes after bariatric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuejun Liu
- R&D Department, Echosens, Paris, France; Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, ICAN, UMR INSERM/UPMC 1166, Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Judith Aron-Wisnewsky
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, ICAN, UMR INSERM/UPMC 1166, Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Bouillot
- Department of General, Digestive and Metabolic Surgery, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Ambroise Paré Teaching Hospital, Boulogne, France
| | - Mériem Abdennour
- R&D Department, Echosens, Paris, France; Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, ICAN, UMR INSERM/UPMC 1166, Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Gilles le Naour
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Bedossa
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Beaujon Hospital, Clichy, France
| | - Joan Tordjman
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, ICAN, UMR INSERM/UPMC 1166, Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Karine Clément
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, ICAN, UMR INSERM/UPMC 1166, Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
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Tang A, Cloutier G, Szeverenyi NM, Sirlin CB. Ultrasound Elastography and MR Elastography for Assessing Liver Fibrosis: Part 1, Principles and Techniques. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2015; 205:22-32. [PMID: 25905647 PMCID: PMC4819982 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.15.14552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of ultrasound and MR elastography, including a glossary of relevant terminology, a classification of elastography techniques, and a discussion of their respective strengths and limitations. CONCLUSION Elastography is an emerging technique for the noninvasive assessment of mechanical tissue properties. These techniques report metrics related to tissue stiffness, such as shear-wave speed, magnitude of the complex shear modulus, and the Young modulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Tang
- 1 Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- 2 Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- 3 Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Guy Cloutier
- 2 Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- 3 Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- 4 Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- 5 Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nikolaus M Szeverenyi
- 6 Liver Imaging Group, Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 408 Dickinson St, San Diego, CA 92103-8226
| | - Claude B Sirlin
- 6 Liver Imaging Group, Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 408 Dickinson St, San Diego, CA 92103-8226
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Abdelmaksoud AH, Taha ME, Kassas ME, Mahdy RE, Mohamed GEDE, Samy HA. Prospective comparison of transient elastography and liver biopsy for the assessment of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrnm.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Sasso M, Abdennour M, Liu Y, Hazrak H, Aron-Wisnewsky J, Bouillot JL, Le Naour G, Bedossa P, Torjman J, Clément K, Miette V. Relevance of Adipose Tissue Stiffness Evaluated by Transient Elastography (AdipoScan™) in Morbidly Obese Patients before Bariatric Surgery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phpro.2015.08.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Oudry J, Lynch T, Vappou J, Sandrin L, Miette V. Comparison of four different techniques to evaluate the elastic properties of phantom in elastography: is there a gold standard? Phys Med Biol 2014; 59:5775-93. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/59/19/5775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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