1
|
Hayakawa F, Soga K, Fujino J, Ota T, Yamaguchi M, Tamano M. Utility of ultrasonography in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a choline-deficient, high-fat diet and dextran sulfate sodium. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 36:101575. [PMID: 38115886 PMCID: PMC10728711 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic progressive liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence of NASH is increasing year by year. However, the etiology and progression of NASH, along with the processes leading to carcinogenesis, remain poorly understood. A range of animal models are used in research, but investigators have been unable to establish a model that results in tumorigenesis from a stable disease state. The present study aimed to create a stable, low-mortality model of NASH using abdominal ultrasonography (US) to assess NASH stage and diagnose liver tumors. Methods Thirty-four 19-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a choline-deficient, high-fat (CDHF) diet. Twenty animals were given seven courses of 0.8 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days followed by 10 days of MilliQ water (CDHF+DSS group). The remaining 14 animals drank only MilliQ water (CDHF group). All animals were weighed weekly and US was performed on Days 35 and 120. After necropsy, samples were taken for biochemical analysis and histopathological evaluation. Results The CDHF+DSS group had significantly lower body weight on Days 35 and 120, and significantly higher liver/body weight (%) on Day 35 compared to the CDHF group. US on Days 35 and 120 revealed significantly shorter long intestine and higher colonic histological score in the CDHF+DSS group compared to the CDHF group. IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the large intestinal tissue were significantly higher in the CDHF+DSS group. Conclusions A stable, low-mortality model of NASH was created with a CDHF diet and intermittent 0.8 % DSS. Abdominal US can assess the degree of fatty degeneration and evaluate liver tumorigenesis without necropsy. This assessment procedure will reduce the number of mice killed unnecessarily during experiments, thereby contributing to animal welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuki Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Koichi Soga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Junko Fujino
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Iwate Medical University, 1-1-3 Idaidori, Yahaba-cho, Shiwa-gun, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ota
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Masaya Tamano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Inuzuka R, Nii M, Inai K, Shimada E, Shinohara T, Kogiso T, Ono H, Otsuki SI, Kurita Y, Takeda A, Hirono K, Takei K, Yasukohchi S, Yoshikawa T, Furutani Y, Shinozaki T, Matsuyama Y, Senzaki H, Tokushige K, Nakanishi T. Predictors of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma among perioperative survivors of the Fontan operation. Heart 2023; 109:276-282. [PMID: 35768191 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2022-320940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is widely recognised as a common complication in patients long after the Fontan operation. However, data on the predictors of FALD that can guide its screening and management are lacking. The present study aimed to identify the predictors of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in post-Fontan patients. METHODS This was a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of all perioperative survivors of Fontan operation before 2011 who underwent postoperative catheterisation were collected through a retrospective chart review. RESULTS A total of 1117 patients (538 women, 48.2%) underwent their first Fontan operation at a median age of 3.4 years. Postoperative cardiac catheterisation was conducted at a median of 1.0 year. During a median follow-up period of 10.3 years, 67 patients (6.0%) died; 181 (16.2%) were diagnosed with liver fibrosis, 67 (6.0%) with LC, 54 (4.8%) with focal nodular hyperplasia and 7 (0.6%) with HCC. On multivariable analysis, high central venous pressure (CVP) (HR, 1.28 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.63) per 3 mm Hg; p=0.042) and severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (HR, 6.02 (95% CI 1.53 to 23.77); p=0.010) at the postoperative catheterisation were identified as independent predictors of LC/HCC. CONCLUSIONS Patients with high CVP and/or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation approximately 1 year after the Fontan operation are at increased risk of developing advanced liver disease in the long term. Whether therapeutic interventions to reduce CVP and atrioventricular valve regurgitation decrease the incidence of advanced liver disease requires further elucidation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Inuzuka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Nii
- Pediatric Cardiology, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kei Inai
- Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eriko Shimada
- Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tokuko Shinohara
- Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kogiso
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ono
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Atsuhito Takeda
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Hirono
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kota Takei
- Pediatric Cardiology, Nagano Children's Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | | | | | - Yoshiyuki Furutani
- Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Shinozaki
- Department of Information and Computer Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Matsuyama
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Senzaki
- Comprehensive Support Center for Children's Happy Life and Future, Nihon Institute of Medical Science University, Moroyama-cho, Iruma-gun, Saitama, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Tokushige
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Nakanishi
- Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan .,Sakakibara Heart Institute Clinic, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cai WB, Yin JK, Li QY, Yang YL, Duan YY, Zhang L. The severity of portal hypertension by a non-invasive assessment: acoustic structure quantification analysis of liver parenchyma. BMC Med Imaging 2022; 22:85. [PMID: 35550032 PMCID: PMC9097305 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-022-00817-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) has been applied to evaluate liver histologic changes by analyzing the speckle pattern seen on B-mode ultrasound. We aimed to assess the severity of portal hypertension (PHT) through hepatic ultrasonography. Methods Sixty patients diagnosed with PHT and underwent surgical treatment with portosystemic shunts were enrolled. Portal pressure (PP) was measured intraoperatively. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the severity of gastroesophageal varices and Child–Pugh class. Three difference ratio (Cm2) values on ASQ histogram mode were analyzed for their relationships with PP, degree of gastroesophageal varices and Child–Pugh liver function. Thirty healthy volunteers matched with the patients for gender and age were enrolled as controls. Comparisons among groups and correlation of the parameters with PP were analyzed. Area under the receive operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predicting value of ASQ parameters. Results In the patients, the ASQ parameters peak Cm2 (Cm2max), mean Cm2 (Cm2mean) and the highest occurred Cm2 value of the obtained red curve (RmaxCm2) were all greatly increased (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.027). Multiple comparisons indicated that, regardless of Child–Pugh class and degree of gastroesophageal varices, the patients had significantly increased Cm2max and Cm2mean compared with the controls (all P < 0.0001). No differences among subgroups were observed. Cm2max was significantly statistically correlated with PP (r = 0.3505, P < 0.01), degree of varices (r = 0.4998, P < 0.0001). Youden’s index for Cm2max with a cut-off value of 140.3 for predicting the presence of PHT, gastroesophageal varices and liver function equal to or worse than Child–Pugh class B were 0.8, 0.91 and 0.84, respectively. Conclusions ASQ analysis of ultrasonographic images may have a role in the evaluation of the severity of PHT by detecting liver histologic changes in the speckle pattern caused by cirrhosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12880-022-00817-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Cai
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xin Si Road, Ba Qiao District, Xi'an, China.,Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, General Hospital of Tibet Military Region, Lhasa, China
| | - Ji-Kai Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiao-Ying Li
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xin Si Road, Ba Qiao District, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xin Si Road, Ba Qiao District, Xi'an, China
| | - Yun-You Duan
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xin Si Road, Ba Qiao District, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xin Si Road, Ba Qiao District, Xi'an, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Park J, Lee JM, Lee G, Jeon SK, Joo I. Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis Using Advanced Imaging Techniques: Focusing on New Quantitative Ultrasound Techniques. Korean J Radiol 2022; 23:13-29. [PMID: 34983091 PMCID: PMC8743150 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2021.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. The current standard for the detection of hepatic steatosis is liver biopsy; however, it is limited by invasiveness and sampling errors. Accordingly, MR spectroscopy and proton density fat fraction obtained with MRI have been accepted as non-invasive modalities for quantifying hepatic steatosis. Recently, various quantitative ultrasonography techniques have been developed and validated for the quantification of hepatic steatosis. These techniques measure various acoustic parameters, including attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient and speckle statistics, speed of sound, and shear wave elastography metrics. In this article, we introduce several representative quantitative ultrasonography techniques and their diagnostic value for the detection of hepatic steatosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junghoan Park
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Gunwoo Lee
- Ultrasound R&D 2 Group, Health & Medical Equipment Business, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Kyung Jeon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ijin Joo
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bae JS, Lee DH, Lee JY, Kim H, Yu SJ, Lee JH, Cho EJ, Lee YB, Han JK, Choi BI. Quantitative Assessment of Fatty Liver using Ultrasound with Normalized Local Variance Technique. ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN (STUTTGART, GERMANY : 1980) 2021; 42:599-606. [PMID: 32323278 DOI: 10.1055/a-1143-3091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the diagnostic performance of the normalized local variance (NLV) ultrasound technique in the detection of the fatty liver using histopathology as a reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively enrolled 194 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of diffuse liver disease or history of liver transplantation. Conventional grayscale ultrasound and NLV examinations were performed and immediately followed by liver biopsies. The degrees of fatty liver, necroinflammatory activity, and fibrosis stage were evaluated by histopathological assessment. The diagnostic performance of the NLV values in detecting each grade of fatty liver was determined using receiver operating characteristics analyses, and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify variables significantly associated with the NLV values. RESULTS The number of patients in each degree of fatty liver and hepatic fibrosis was 118/37/26/13 and 81/68/24/6/14 for none/mild/moderate/severe steatosis and F0 / F1/F2 / F3/F4 fibrosis on histopathological examinations, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and optimal cut-off NLV value for detecting fatty liver of varying degrees were 0.911 and 1.095 for ≥ S1, 0.974 and 1.055 for ≥ S2, and 0.954 and 1.025 for ≥ S3, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that not fibrosis or inflammation but rather the degree of steatosis was associated with the NLV value. CONCLUSION The NLV value demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance for detecting varying degrees of fatty liver, and the degree of steatosis on histopathological examinations was the only significant factor affecting the NLV value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae Seok Bae
- Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jae Young Lee
- Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Haeryoung Kim
- Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Su Jong Yu
- Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jeong-Hoon Lee
- Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Eun Ju Cho
- Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Yun Bin Lee
- Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Joon Koo Han
- Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Byung Ihn Choi
- Radiology, Chung Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jang JK, Choi SH, Lee JS, Kim SY, Lee SS, Kim KW. Accuracy of the ultrasound attenuation coefficient for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Ultrasonography 2021; 41:83-92. [PMID: 34399043 PMCID: PMC8696131 DOI: 10.14366/usg.21076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The accurate detection and quantification of hepatic steatosis using a noninvasive method are important for the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the accuracy of the ultrasound-measured attenuation coefficient (AC) in the evaluation of hepatic steatosis. METHODS The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for prospective studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of AC for assessing hepatic steatosis. The meta-analytic pooled sensitivity and specificity of AC for any grade of steatosis (S≥1) and advanced steatosis (S≥2) were estimated using a bivariate random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to investigate the causes of heterogeneity among studies. RESULTS Thirteen studies including 1,509 patients were identified. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of AC for S≥1 were 76% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73% to 80%; I2=43%) and 84% (95% CI, 77% to 89%; I2=74%), respectively, while for S≥2 they were 87% (95% CI, 83% to 91%; I2=0%) and 79% (95% CI, 75% to 83%; I2=59%), respectively. Study heterogeneity was associated with body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of steatosis or significant fibrosis. CONCLUSION AC can be clinically useful for assessing hepatic steatosis, with good overall diagnostic performance. The data reported in the published literature differed according to BMI and the prevalence of steatosis or significant fibrosis, and careful interpretation with consideration of these factors might be needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong Keon Jang
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Choi
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Sung Lee
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Soo Lee
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sato Y, Tamura K, Mori S, Tai DI, Tsui PH, Yoshida K, Hirata S, Maruyama H, Yamaguchi T. Fatty liver evaluation with double-Nakagami model under low-resolution conditions. JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS 2021. [DOI: 10.35848/1347-4065/abf07d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
In previous studies, the double-Nakagami (DN) model has been proposed for fatty liver assessment and applied to in vivo rat livers and clinical data sets. The healthy liver structure filter (HLSF) method, which extracts non-healthy areas using two DN parameters, has also been proposed. In this paper, we first verify the accuracy of the DN model and the HLSF method for acoustic fields at 15 and 5 MHz, which were reproduced using numerical simulation. We then apply the method to clinical data sets of livers observed using a frequency of 3 MHz and investigate the method’s clinical usefulness. A positive correlation (
r
=
0.28
) was found between the ratio of the non-healthy area and fat mass. Although the results were inferior to the results produced using 15 MHz ultrasound (
r
=
0.96
), we found that it was possible to detect the difference between a normal liver and a fatty liver even at a lower frequency.
Collapse
|
8
|
Chong PL, Laight D, Aspinall RJ, Higginson A, Cummings MH. A randomised placebo controlled trial of VSL#3 ® probiotic on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and liver injury in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. BMC Gastroenterol 2021; 21:144. [PMID: 33794784 PMCID: PMC8015038 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01660-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk irrespective of conventional risk factors. The role of gut-liver interaction is implicated in its development. We investigated the effects of VSL#3® probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and liver injury in patients with NAFLD. METHODS A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study was undertaken. Patients with NAFLD were randomly allocated to take 2 sachets VSL#3® probiotic or placebo twice daily for 10 weeks. Measurements of endothelial function (digital photoplethysmography, sVCAM-1 and cGMP), oxidative stress (glutathione ratio and LHP), inflammation (hsCRP), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and liver injury [transaminases, fibrosis risk score and acoustic structure quantification (ASQ)] were undertaken before and after intervention. Difference in baseline characteristics between the treatment groups was analysed using independent t-test or Mann Whitney U test for non-parametric data. Independent t-test was used to compare the outcomes at the end of the study between the two treatment groups. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to determine the difference in fibrosis risk scores before and after treatment. Spearman's correlation was used to determine any association between cardiovascular and hepatic markers at baseline. RESULTS Thirty-five patients completed the study (28 males and 7 females) with a mean age of 57 ± 8 years, body mass index of 32.6 ± 5.0 kg/m2 and a relatively short duration of NAFLD (median duration 0.3 IQR 2.0 years). No significant difference was observed in biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and liver injury following VSL#3® supplementation. Significant correlations were noted between sVCAM-1 and hsCRP (rho = 0.392, p = 0.01), and HOMA-IR and AST (rho = 0.489, p < 0.01) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to evaluate the effect of VSL#3® on ASQ in patients with NAFLD. VSL#3® did not significantly improve markers of cardiovascular risk and liver injury in patients with NAFLD. However, the study supports an association between endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in patients with NAFLD and suggests that NAFLD is linked with insulin resistance. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN05474560 ( https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN05474560 ) Registered 9 August 2012 (retrospectively registered).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pui Lin Chong
- Academic Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK. .,Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, 1710, Brunei Darussalam.
| | - David Laight
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Richard J Aspinall
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | - Michael H Cummings
- Academic Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tsai YW, Zhou Z, Gong CSA, Tai DI, Cristea A, Lin YC, Tang YC, Tsui PH. Ultrasound Detection of Liver Fibrosis in Individuals with Hepatic Steatosis Using the Homodyned K Distribution. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:84-94. [PMID: 33109381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) based on the analysis of ultrasound backscattered statistics has been reported to detect liver fibrosis without significant hepatic steatosis. This study proposed using ultrasound parametric imaging based on the parameter α of the homodyned K (HK) distribution for staging liver fibrosis in patients with significant hepatic steatosis. Raw ultrasound image data were acquired from patients (n = 237) to construct B-mode and HK α parametric images, which were compared with the focal disturbance (FD) ratio obtained from ASQ on the basis of histologic evidence (METAVIR fibrosis score and hepatic steatosis severity). The data were divided into group I (n = 173; normal to mild hepatic steatosis) and group II (n = 64; with moderate to severe hepatic steatosis) for statistical analysis through one-way analysis of variance and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The results showed that the HK α parameter monotonically decreased as the liver fibrosis stage increased (p < .05); concurrently, the FD ratio increased (p < .05). For group I, the areas under the ROC (AUROCs) obtained using the FD ratio and the α parameter (AUROCFD and AUROCα) were, respectively, 0.56 and 0.55, 0.68 and 0.68, 0.64 and 0.64 and 0.62 and 0.62 for diagnosing liver fibrosis ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3 and ≥F4. The values of AUROCFD and AUROCα for group II were, respectively, 0.88 and 0.91, 0.81 and 0.81, 0.77 and 0.76 and 0.78 and 0.73 for diagnosing liver fibrosis ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3 and ≥F4. As opposed to previous studies, ASQ was found to fail in characterizing liver fibrosis in group I; however, it was workable for identifying liver fibrosis in patients with significant hepatic steatosis (group II). Compared with ASQ, HK imaging provided improved diagnostic performance in the early detection of liver fibrosis coexisting with moderate to severe hepatic steatosis. Ultrasound HK imaging is recommended as a strategy to evaluate early fibrosis risk in patients with significant hepatic steatosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Tsai
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Zhuhuang Zhou
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong
- Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Dar-In Tai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Anca Cristea
- Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Yu-Ching Lin
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, at Keelung and Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chun Tang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yamaguchi T. Basic concept and clinical applications of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) technologies. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2021; 48:391-402. [PMID: 34669072 PMCID: PMC8578064 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-021-01139-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In the field of clinical ultrasound, the full digitalization of diagnostic equipment in the 2000s enabled the technological development of quantitative ultrasound (QUS), followed by multiple diagnostic technologies that have been put into practical use in recent years. In QUS, tissue characteristics are quantified and parameters are calculated by analyzing the radiofrequency (RF) echo signals returning to the transducer. However, the physical properties (and pathological level structure) of the biological tissues responsible for the imaging features and QUS parameters have not been sufficiently verified as there are various conditions for observing living tissue with ultrasound and inevitable discrepancies between theoretical and actual measurements. A major issue of QUS in clinical application is that the evaluation results depend on the acquisition conditions of the RF echo signal as the source of the image information, and also vary according to the model of the diagnostic device. In this paper, typical examples of QUS techniques for evaluating attenuation, speed of sound, amplitude envelope characteristics, and backscatter coefficient in living tissues are introduced. Exemplary basic research and clinical applications related to these technologies, and initiatives currently being undertaken to establish the QUS method as a true tissue characterization technology, are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamaguchi
- grid.136304.30000 0004 0370 1101Center for Frontier Medical Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage, Chiba 2638522 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bae JS, Lee JY, Lee DH, Kim H, Lee Y, Han JK. Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis Using Normalized Local Variance in a Rat Model: Comparison with Histopathology as the Reference Standard. Korean J Radiol 2020; 20:1399-1407. [PMID: 31464118 PMCID: PMC6715566 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2019.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the normalized local variance (NLV) ultrasound technique in the assessment of hepatic steatosis, and to identify the factors that influence the NLV value using histopathological examination as the reference standard. Materials and Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a methionine-choline-deficient diet for variable periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 days or 2, 3, or 4 weeks; four rats per group). At the end of each diet duration, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and NLV examination were performed. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed and their livers were histopathologically evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic capability of the NLV value in the detection of varying degrees of hepatic steatosis. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to determine the factors associated with the NLV value. Results The areas under the ROC curve for the detection of mild, moderate, and severe hepatic steatosis were 0.953, 0.896, and 0.735, respectively. The NLV value showed comparable diagnostic performance to that of MRS in the detection of ≥ mild or ≥ moderate hepatic steatosis. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the degree of hepatic steatosis was the only significant factor affecting the NLV value (p < 0.001). Conclusion The NLV value of ultrasound demonstrated satisfactory diagnostic performance in the assessment of varying degrees of hepatic steatosis. The degree of hepatic steatosis was the only significant factor that affected the NLV value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae Seok Bae
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Haeryoung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngeun Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Koo Han
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pirmoazen AM, Khurana A, El Kaffas A, Kamaya A. Quantitative ultrasound approaches for diagnosis and monitoring hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Theranostics 2020; 10:4277-4289. [PMID: 32226553 PMCID: PMC7086372 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a major global health concern with increasing prevalence, associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Recently, quantitative ultrasound-based imaging techniques have dramatically improved the ability of ultrasound to detect and quantify hepatic steatosis. These newer ultrasound techniques possess many inherent advantages similar to conventional ultrasound such as universal availability, real-time capability, and relatively low cost along with quantitative rather than a qualitative assessment of liver fat. In addition, quantitative ultrasound-based imaging techniques are less operator dependent than traditional ultrasound. Here we review several different emerging quantitative ultrasound-based approaches used for detection and quantification of hepatic steatosis in patients at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We also briefly summarize other clinically available imaging modalities for evaluating hepatic steatosis such as MRI, CT, and serum analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir M. Pirmoazen
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Aman Khurana
- Department of Radiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Ahmed El Kaffas
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Aya Kamaya
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhou Z, Gao A, Zhang Q, Wu W, Wu S, Tsui PH. Ultrasound Backscatter Envelope Statistics Parametric Imaging for Liver Fibrosis Characterization: A Review. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2020; 42:92-109. [PMID: 32100633 DOI: 10.1177/0161734620907886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Early detection and diagnosis of liver fibrosis is of critical importance. Currently the gold standard for diagnosing liver fibrosis is biopsy. However, liver biopsy is invasive and associated with sampling errors and can lead to complications such as bleeding. Therefore, developing noninvasive imaging techniques for assessing liver fibrosis is of clinical value. Ultrasound has become the first-line tool for the management of chronic liver diseases. However, the commonly used B-mode ultrasound is qualitative and can cause interobserver or intraobserver difference. Ultrasound backscatter envelope statistics parametric imaging is an important group of quantitative ultrasound techniques that have been applied to characterizing different kinds of tissue. However, a state-of-the-art review of ultrasound backscatter envelope statistics parametric imaging for liver fibrosis characterization has not been conducted. In this paper, we focused on the development of ultrasound backscatter envelope statistics parametric imaging techniques for assessing liver fibrosis from 1998 to September 2019. We classified these techniques into six categories: constant false alarm rate, fiber structure extraction technique, acoustic structure quantification, quantile-quantile probability plot, the multi-Rayleigh model, and the Nakagami model. We presented the theoretical background and algorithms for liver fibrosis assessment by ultrasound backscatter envelope statistics parametric imaging. Then, the specific applications of ultrasound backscatter envelope statistics parametric imaging techniques to liver fibrosis evaluation were reviewed and analyzed. Finally, the pros and cons of each technique were discussed, and the future development was suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhuang Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Anna Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Wu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuicai Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cristea A, Collier N, Franceschini E, Mamou J, Cachard C, Basset O. Quantitative assessment of media concentration using the Homodyned K distribution. ULTRASONICS 2020; 101:105986. [PMID: 31539763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2019.105986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Homodyned K distribution has been used successfully as a tool in the ultrasound characterization of sparse media, where the scatterer clustering parameter α accurately discriminates between media with different numbers of scatterers per resolution cell. However, as the number of scatterers increases and the corresponding amplitude statistics become Rician, the reliability of the α estimates decreases rapidly. In the present study, we assess the usefulness of α for the characterization of both sparse and concentrated media, using simulated independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) samples from Homodyned K distributions, ultrasound images of media with up to 68 scatterers per resolution cell and ultrasound signals acquired from particle phantoms with up to 101 scatterers per resolution cell. All parameter estimates are obtained using the XU estimator (Destrempes et al., 2013). Results suggest that the parameter α can be used to distinguish between media with up to 40 scatterers per resolution cell at 22 MHz, provided that parameter estimation can be performed on very large sample sizes (i.e., >10,000 i.i.d. samples).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anca Cristea
- Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Lyon, France.
| | - Nicolas Collier
- Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS, Centrale Marseille, LMA, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jonathan Mamou
- F.L. Lizzi Center for Biomedical Engineering, Riverside Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Cachard
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Basset
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonic acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) for grading hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis by comparing ultrasonographic features of regions of interest on ASQ images with the pathological characteristics of stage F0-F4 hepatic fibrosis cases.We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 97 patients with chronic hepatitis who underwent ASQ evaluation at the Ultrasound Room of Dongfang Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (Shanghai, China) between July 2012 and October 2013. Regions of interest on stored ASQ images were analyzed to obtain cm values on modes, averages, and standard deviations. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of the mean cm values with hepatic fibrosis staging were performed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ASQ.The mean cm of ASQ correlated with the pathological stage of hepatic fibrosis, with the best correlation coefficient (r = 0.81) in the right lobe below rib 2. The best cm average 1 and 2 values, which differed significantly among different hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis stages, were also found in this area. The maximal area under the ROC curve (0.969) was for cmaverage 1 for the F0 versus F1 to F4 group, with a low criterion (110), while the maximal criterion (145) was for cm average 2 for the F0-F3 versus F4 group, with a relatively small AUC (0.882).With objective and accurate results, ASQ analysis is a promising non-invasive method for grading hepatic fibrosis, although this should be verified in further studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cheng
- Department of Echocardiography, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Yongan Chen
- Department of Oncology, The 455th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Yan Pan
- Department of Ultrasound, Yu Huang Ding Hospital, Yan Tai
| | - Jia Guo
- Department of Ultrasound, Eastern Hepatobilary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lin YH, Wan YL, Tai DI, Tseng JH, Wang CY, Tsai YW, Lin YR, Chang TY, Tsui PH. Considerations of Ultrasound Scanning Approaches in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Assessment through Acoustic Structure Quantification. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:1955-1969. [PMID: 31130411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ), based on statistical analysis of ultrasound echoes, is an emerging technique for hepatic steatosis diagnosis. A standardized measurement protocol for ASQ analysis was suggested previously; however, an optimal ultrasound scanning approach has not been concluded thus far. In this study, the suitability of scanning approaches for the ASQ-based evaluation of hepatic steatosis was investigated. Hepatic fat fractions (HFFs; liver segments VIII, III and VI) of 70 living liver donors were assessed with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A clinical ultrasound machine equipped with a 3-MHz convex transducer was used to scan each participant using the intercostal, epigastric and subcostal planes to acquire raw data for estimating two ASQ parameters (Cm2 and focal disturbance [FD] ratio) of segments VIII, III and VI, respectively. The parameters were plotted as functions of the HFF for calculating the values of the correlation coefficient (r) and probability value (p). The diagnostic performance of the parameters in discriminating between the normal and steatotic (≥5 and ≥10%) groups was also compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The Cm2 and FD ratio values measured using the epigastric and subcostal planes did not correlate with the severity of hepatic steatosis. However, intercostal imaging exhibited a higher correlation between the ASQ parameters and HFF (r = -0.64, p < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of Cm2 and FD ratio in detecting hepatic steatosis using intercostal imaging was also satisfactory (areas under ROC curves >0.8). Intercostal imaging is an appropriate scanning approach for ASQ analysis of the liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsiu Lin
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Liang Wan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Dar-In Tai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Hwei Tseng
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Yin Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Tsai
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ru Lin
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tu-Yung Chang
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lee DH, Lee JY, Park MS, Han JK. Non-invasive monitoring of hepatic steatosis via acoustic structure quantification of ultrasonography with MR spectroscopy as the reference standard. Ultrasonography 2019; 39:70-78. [PMID: 31639886 PMCID: PMC6920624 DOI: 10.14366/usg.19002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether monitoring hepatic steatosis by ultrasonography with acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) is feasible, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as the reference standard. Methods Thirty-six patients with suspected fatty liver disease underwent both untrasonography with ASQ and MRS on the same day. After a mean follow-up period of 11.4±2.5 months, follow-up ultrasonography with ASQ and MRS were performed on 27 patients to evaluate whether hepatic steatosis had improved. The focal disturbance (FD) ratio, as calculated using ASQ, and the hepatic fat fraction (HFF), estimated by MRS, were obtained at both initial and follow-up examinations. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the correlations between ordinal values. Results The FD ratio showed a strong, negative linear correlation with the HFF after logarithmic transformation of both variables from the initial examinations of 36 patients (ρ=-0.888, P<0.001) and the follow-up examinations of 27 patients (ρ=-0.920, P<0.001). There was also a significant, negative linear correlation between the change in the logarithm of the FD ratio and the change in the logarithm of the HFF by MRS over the follow-up period (ρ=-0.645, P<0.001). In 16 patients with an increased FD ratio on follow-up, the HFF on follow-up MRS significantly decreased, and high-density lipoprotein levels significantly increased, whereas low-density lipoprotein levels tended to decrease. Conclusion The FD ratio was significantly correlated with the HFF at both the initial and follow-up examinations, and there was also a significant correlation between changes in the FD ratio and changes in the HFF over the follow-up period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ho Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Sun Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Koo Han
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jeon SK, Lee JM, Joo I, Yoon JH, Lee DH, Lee JY, Han JK. Prospective Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis Using Ultrasound Attenuation Imaging in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton Density Fat Fraction as the Reference Standard. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:1407-1416. [PMID: 30975533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of 2-D ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) for the assessment of hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic liver disease using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) as the reference standard. We prospectively analyzed 87 patients with chronic liver disease who had reliable measurements at both ATI and MRI-PDFF. For the detection of hepatic steatosis of MRI-PDFF ≥5% and MRI-PDFF ≥10%, ATI measurements yielded areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 and 0.88, respectively (95% confidence intervals: 0.66-0.85 and 0.79-0.94). Attenuation coefficients at ATI were moderately correlated with MRI-PDFF (ρ = 0.66). In conclusion, attenuation coefficients at ultrasound ATI were well correlated with MRI-PDFF and, thus, may provide good diagnostic performance in the assessment of hepatic steatosis, making these coefficients a promising tool for the non-invasive assessment and quantification of hepatic steatosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Kyung Jeon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Ijin Joo
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong Hee Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joon Koo Han
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lee JY, Hong HS, Kim CH. Prognostic value of acoustic structure quantification in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Eur Radiol 2019; 29:5971-5980. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
20
|
Zhang Y, Zheng Y, Yang X, Liu X, Zhang H, Xu X, Meng F. Comparison of Acoustic Structure Quantification, Transient Elastography (FibroScan) and Histology in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B and without Moderate to Severe Hepatic Steatosis. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:684-692. [PMID: 30638967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) with transient elastography for staging liver fibrosis. One hundred eighty-two patients with chronic hepatitis B and without moderate to severe hepatic steatosis scheduled for liver biopsy underwent ASQ and transient elastography examinations. All ASQ parameters, including total mode, total average, red mode, red average, red standard deviation, blue mode, blue average, blue standard deviation and focal disturbance (FD) ratio and liver stiffness obtained via transient elastography were found to correlate with fibrosis stage (Spearman's r = 0.783, 0.791, 0.750, 0.771, 0.544, 0.718, 0.691, 0.439, 0.815 and 0.814, respectively; all p values < 0.001). Among the ASQ parameters, the FD ratio had the highest correlation with the stage of fibrosis. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of FD ratio and liver stiffness were 0.911 and 0.906 for F ≥ F1, 0.918 and 0.882 for F ≥ F2, 0.911 and 0.914 for F ≥ F3 and 0.926 and 0.978 for F = F4, respectively. There was no significant difference in AUCs between FD ratio and liver stiffness in predicting different stages of fibrosis (p = 0.062-0.912). ASQ is a promising technique for assessing liver fibrosis in the absence of moderate to severe hepatic steatosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuqing Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoluan Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fankun Meng
- Department of Ultrasound, You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hepatic Steatosis Assessment Using Quantitative Ultrasound Parametric Imaging Based on Backscatter Envelope Statistics. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9040661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis is a key manifestation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Early detection of hepatic steatosis is of critical importance. Currently, liver biopsy is the clinical golden standard for hepatic steatosis assessment. However, liver biopsy is invasive and associated with sampling errors. Ultrasound has been recommended as a first-line diagnostic test for the management of NAFLD. However, B-mode ultrasound is qualitative and can be affected by factors including image post-processing parameters. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) aims to extract quantified acoustic parameters from the ultrasound backscattered signals for ultrasound tissue characterization and can be a complement to conventional B-mode ultrasound. QUS envelope statistics techniques, both statistical model-based and non-model-based, have shown potential for hepatic steatosis characterization. However, a state-of-the-art review of hepatic steatosis assessment using envelope statistics techniques is still lacking. In this paper, envelope statistics-based QUS parametric imaging techniques for characterizing hepatic steatosis are reviewed and discussed. The reviewed ultrasound envelope statistics parametric imaging techniques include acoustic structure quantification imaging, ultrasound Nakagami imaging, homodyned-K imaging, kurtosis imaging, and entropy imaging. Future developments are suggested.
Collapse
|
22
|
Bach A, Hameister C, Slowinski T, Jung EM, Thomas A, Fischer T. Can acoustic structural quantification be used to characterize the ultrasound echotexture of the peripheral zone of breast lesions? Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2019; 72:189-200. [PMID: 30714952 PMCID: PMC6700716 DOI: 10.3233/ch-180484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Besides mammography, breast ultrasound is the most important imaging modality for women with suspected breast cancer. New software tools bear high potential for improved detectability and specification of malignant breast lesions. OBJECTIVE: To compare the halo depicted around malignant breast lesions by ultrasound using Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ) of raw image data with the echogenic rim seen in B-mode ultrasound. METHODS: This retrospective study included 37 women for whom conventional B-mode ultrasound of the breast and ASQ were available as well as histopathology findings for comparison. Software tools were used to measure the halo area or echogenic rim and tumor area and calculate halo-to-lesion ratios for the two ultrasound modes. Six inexperienced readers characterized the breast lesions based on this information. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were determined. ANOVA, the Wilcoxon test, and ROC curve analysis were performed. RESULTS: There was a linear relationship between ASQ-based and B-mode-based halo-to-lesion ratios; however, a systematic error was also noted. ASQ-derived ratios tended to be higher for breast lesions with lymphangioinvasion (p = 0.051, n.s.) and higher N-stages (p > 0.925, n.s.), while there was no correlation with other markers. Because of the significantly greater conspicuity of peritumoral halos in the ASQ mode, inexperienced readers achieved greater sensitivity (78% vs. 74%) and specificity (75% vs. 71%) and higher NPVs (75% vs. 71%) and PPVs (78% vs. 74%) compared with B-mode images. Greater halo conspicuity affected the identification of malignant lesions with both modes; ASQ was found to be particularly well suited (FBimage (1,100) = 19.253, p < 0.001; FASQ (1,100) = 52.338, p < 0.001). The inexperienced readers were significantly more confident about their diagnosis using the ASQ maps (z = –3.023, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the halo in ASQ and the echogenic rim in B-mode ultrasound are attributable to different morphologic correlates. ASQ improves diagnostic accuracy and confidence of inexperienced examiners because of improved halo visibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Bach
- Department of Radiology, University Berlin, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Torsten Slowinski
- Department of Nephrology, University Berlin, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ernst Michael Jung
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Centre, Universitary Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anke Thomas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Ultrasound Research Laboratory, University Berlin, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Fischer
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Centre and Ultrasound Research Laboratory, University Berlin, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ultrasound Entropy Imaging of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Association with Metabolic Syndrome. ENTROPY 2018; 20:e20120893. [PMID: 33266617 PMCID: PMC7512475 DOI: 10.3390/e20120893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of advanced liver diseases. Fat accumulation in the liver changes the hepatic microstructure and the corresponding statistics of ultrasound backscattered signals. Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) is a typical model-based method for analyzing backscattered statistics. Shannon entropy, initially proposed in information theory, has been demonstrated as a more flexible solution for imaging and describing backscattered statistics without considering data distribution. NAFLD is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, we investigated the association between ultrasound entropy imaging of NAFLD and MetS for comparison with that obtained from ASQ. A total of 394 participants were recruited to undergo physical examinations and blood tests to diagnose MetS. Then, abdominal ultrasound screening of the liver was performed to calculate the ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI) as a measure of NAFLD severity. The ASQ analysis and ultrasound entropy parametric imaging were further constructed using the raw image data to calculate the focal disturbance (FD) ratio and entropy value, respectively. Tertiles were used to split the data of the FD ratio and entropy into three groups for statistical analysis. The correlation coefficient r, probability value p, and odds ratio (OR) were calculated. With an increase in the US-FLI, the entropy value increased (r = 0.713; p < 0.0001) and the FD ratio decreased (r = –0.630; p < 0.0001). In addition, the entropy value and FD ratio correlated with metabolic indices (p < 0.0001). After adjustment for confounding factors, entropy imaging (OR = 7.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96–65.18 for the second tertile; OR = 20.47, 95% CI: 2.48–168.67 for the third tertile; p = 0.0021) still provided a more significant link to the risk of MetS than did the FD ratio obtained from ASQ (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.27–1.14 for the second tertile; OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.15–1.17 for the third tertile; p = 0.13). Thus, ultrasound entropy imaging can provide information on hepatic steatosis. In particular, ultrasound entropy imaging can describe the risk of MetS for individuals with NAFLD and is superior to the conventional ASQ technique.
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhou Z, Tai DI, Wan YL, Tseng JH, Lin YR, Wu S, Yang KC, Liao YY, Yeh CK, Tsui PH. Hepatic Steatosis Assessment with Ultrasound Small-Window Entropy Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1327-1340. [PMID: 29622501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a type of hepatic steatosis that is not only associated with critical metabolic risk factors but can also result in advanced liver diseases. Ultrasound parametric imaging, which is based on statistical models, assesses fatty liver changes, using quantitative visualization of hepatic-steatosis-caused variations in the statistical properties of backscattered signals. One constraint with using statistical models in ultrasound imaging is that ultrasound data must conform to the distribution employed. Small-window entropy imaging was recently proposed as a non-model-based parametric imaging technique with physical meanings of backscattered statistics. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using small-window entropy imaging in the assessment of fatty liver disease and evaluated its performance through comparisons with parametric imaging based on the Nakagami distribution model (currently the most frequently used statistical model). Liver donors (n = 53) and patients (n = 142) were recruited to evaluate hepatic fat fractions (HFFs), using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and to evaluate the stages of fatty liver disease (normal, mild, moderate and severe), using liver biopsy with histopathology. Livers were scanned using a 3-MHz ultrasound to construct B-mode, small-window entropy and Nakagami images to correlate with HFF analyses and fatty liver stages. The diagnostic values of the imaging methods were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The results demonstrated that the entropy value obtained using small-window entropy imaging correlated well with log10(HFF), with a correlation coefficient r = 0.74, which was higher than those obtained for the B-scan and Nakagami images. Moreover, small-window entropy imaging also resulted in the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.80 for stages equal to or more severe than mild; 0.90 for equal to or more severe than moderate; 0.89 for severe), which indicated that non-model-based entropy imaging-using the small-window technique-performs more favorably than other techniques in fatty liver assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhuang Zhou
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China; Faculty of Information Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Dar-In Tai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Liang Wan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Hwei Tseng
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ru Lin
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shuicai Wu
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Kuen-Cheh Yang
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Beihu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Yin Liao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Liu J, Ren W, Ai H, Dun G, Ji Y, Zhang Y, Wan Q, Lin S. Acoustic Structure Quantification Versus Point Shear Wave Speed Measurement for the Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Viral Hepatitis B. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:1177-1186. [PMID: 29609809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the value of acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) technology versus that of point shear wave speed measurement (PSWSM) imaging technology for the assessment of liver fibrosis stage. A total of 104 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 30 healthy control patients underwent ASQ and PSWSM examinations. Seven quantitative parameters were obtained from ASQ, and a principal component analysis was used to establish the integrative indicators. A quantitative parameter, known as the shear wave speed (SWS, m/s), was obtained from the PSWSM. The METAVIR scores for the assessment of pathologic liver fibrosis were used as a benchmark. Liver fibrosis stages exhibited a good correlation with the integrative indicators and SWS (r = 0.682, p <0.001; r = 0.651, p <0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for ASQ and PSWSM were 0.705 and 0.854 for mild liver fibrosis (F ≥ 1, p = 0.045), 0.813 and 0.743 for significant liver fibrosis (F ≥ 2, p = 0.115), 0.839 and 0.857 for severe liver fibrosis (F ≥ 3, p = 0.417) and 0.874 and 0.971 for liver cirrhosis (F = 4, p = 0.016), respectively. In conclusion, both ASQ and PSWSM were promising ultrasonic methods for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with CHB; however, PSWSM was more valuable for identifying mild liver fibrosis (F ≥ 1) and cirrhosis (F = 4) than ASQ, and the combination of PSWSM and ASQ improved the accuracy of diagnosing severe liver fibrosis (F ≥ 3).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianxue Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China; Department of Ultrasonography, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Department of Infectious Disease, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Hong Ai
- Department of Ultrasonography, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guoliang Dun
- Department of Ultrasonography, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Yonghao Ji
- Department of Ultrasonography, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Yaoren Zhang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Qinyun Wan
- Department of Ultrasonography, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Shumei Lin
- Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhou Z, Wu S, Lin MY, Fang J, Liu HL, Tsui PH. Three-dimensional Visualization of Ultrasound Backscatter Statistics by Window-modulated Compounding Nakagami Imaging. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2018; 40:171-189. [PMID: 29506441 DOI: 10.1177/0161734618756101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the window-modulated compounding (WMC) technique was integrated into three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound Nakagami imaging for improving the spatial visualization of backscatter statistics. A 3D WMC Nakagami image was produced by summing and averaging a number of 3D Nakagami images (number of frames denoted as N) formed using sliding cubes with varying side lengths ranging from 1 to N times the transducer pulse. To evaluate the performance of the proposed 3D WMC Nakagami imaging method, agar phantoms with scatterer concentrations ranging from 2 to 64 scatterers/mm3 were made, and six stages of fatty liver (zero, one, two, four, six, and eight weeks) were induced in rats by methionine-choline-deficient diets (three rats for each stage, total n = 18). A mechanical scanning system with a 5-MHz focused single-element transducer was used for ultrasound radiofrequency data acquisition. The experimental results showed that 3D WMC Nakagami imaging was able to characterize different scatterer concentrations. Backscatter statistics were visualized with various numbers of frames; N = 5 reduced the estimation error of 3D WMC Nakagami imaging in visualizing the backscatter statistics. Compared with conventional 3D Nakagami imaging, 3D WMC Nakagami imaging improved the image smoothness without significant image resolution degradation, and it can thus be used for describing different stages of fatty liver in rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhuang Zhou
- 1 College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
- 2 Faculty of Information Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shuicai Wu
- 1 College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Man-Yen Lin
- 3 Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jui Fang
- 4 PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Li Liu
- 3 Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- 5 Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- 6 Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- 7 Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Berzigotti A, Ferraioli G, Bota S, Gilja OH, Dietrich CF. Novel ultrasound-based methods to assess liver disease: The game has just begun. Dig Liver Dis 2018; 50:107-112. [PMID: 29258813 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the last 10 years the availability of ultrasound elastography allowed to diagnose and stage liver fibrosis in a non-invasive way and changed the clinical practice of hepatology. Newer ultrasound-based techniques to evaluate properties of the liver tissue other than fibrosis are emerging and will lead to a more complete characterization of the full spectrum of diffuse and focal liver disease. Since these methods are currently undergoing validation and go beyond elastography for liver tissue evaluation, they were not included in the recent guidelines regarding elastography issued by the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. In this review paper, we outline the major advances in the field of ultrasound for liver applications, with special emphasis on techniques that could soon be part of the future armamentarium of ultrasound specialists devoted to the assessment of liver disease. Specifically, we discuss current and future ultrasound assessment of steatosis, spleen stiffness for portal hypertension, and elastography for the evaluation of focal liver lesions; we also provide a short glimpse into the next generation of ultrasound diagnostic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Berzigotti
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, University of Bern, Berne, Switzerland.
| | - Giovanna Ferraioli
- Clinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Simona Bota
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nephrology and Endocrinology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | - Odd Helge Gilja
- National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
| | - Christoph F Dietrich
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, Caritas Krankenhaus, Bad Mergentheim, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lee DH, Lee JY, Lee KB, Han JK. Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis by Using Acoustic Structure Quantification US in a Rat Model: Comparison with Pathologic Examination and MR Spectroscopy. Radiology 2017; 285:445-453. [DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2017161923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ho Lee
- From the Department of Radiology (D.H.L., J.Y.L., J.K.H.), Institute of Radiation Medicine (J.Y.L., J.K.H.), and Department of Pathology (K.B.L.), Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Jae Young Lee
- From the Department of Radiology (D.H.L., J.Y.L., J.K.H.), Institute of Radiation Medicine (J.Y.L., J.K.H.), and Department of Pathology (K.B.L.), Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Kyung Bun Lee
- From the Department of Radiology (D.H.L., J.Y.L., J.K.H.), Institute of Radiation Medicine (J.Y.L., J.K.H.), and Department of Pathology (K.B.L.), Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Joon Koo Han
- From the Department of Radiology (D.H.L., J.Y.L., J.K.H.), Institute of Radiation Medicine (J.Y.L., J.K.H.), and Department of Pathology (K.B.L.), Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Effect of ultrasound frequency on the Nakagami statistics of human liver tissues. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181789. [PMID: 28763461 PMCID: PMC5538657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of the backscattered statistics using the Nakagami parameter is an emerging ultrasound technique for assessing hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Previous studies indicated that the echo amplitude distribution of a normal liver follows the Rayleigh distribution (the Nakagami parameter m is close to 1). However, using different frequencies may change the backscattered statistics of normal livers. This study explored the frequency dependence of the backscattered statistics in human livers and then discussed the sources of ultrasound scattering in the liver. A total of 30 healthy participants were enrolled to undergo a standard care ultrasound examination on the liver, which is a natural model containing diffuse and coherent scatterers. The liver of each volunteer was scanned from the right intercostal view to obtain image raw data at different central frequencies ranging from 2 to 3.5 MHz. Phantoms with diffuse scatterers only were also made to perform ultrasound scanning using the same protocol for comparisons with clinical data. The Nakagami parameter-frequency correlation was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. The median and interquartile range of the Nakagami parameter obtained from livers was 1.00 (0.98-1.05) for 2 MHz, 0.93 (0.89-0.98) for 2.3 MHz, 0.87 (0.84-0.92) for 2.5 MHz, 0.82 (0.77-0.88) for 3.3 MHz, and 0.81 (0.76-0.88) for 3.5 MHz. The Nakagami parameter decreased with the increasing central frequency (r = -0.67, p < 0.0001). However, the effect of ultrasound frequency on the statistical distribution of the backscattered envelopes was not found in the phantom results (r = -0.147, p = 0.0727). The current results demonstrated that the backscattered statistics of normal livers is frequency-dependent. Moreover, the coherent scatterers may be the primary factor to dominate the frequency dependence of the backscattered statistics in a liver.
Collapse
|
30
|
Bharti P, Mittal D, Ananthasivan R. Computer-aided Characterization and Diagnosis of Diffuse Liver Diseases Based on Ultrasound Imaging: A Review. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2017; 39:33-61. [PMID: 27097589 DOI: 10.1177/0161734616639875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse liver diseases, such as hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis, are becoming a leading cause of fatality and disability all over the world. Early detection and diagnosis of these diseases is extremely important to save lives and improve effectiveness of treatment. Ultrasound imaging, a noninvasive diagnostic technique, is the most commonly used modality for examining liver abnormalities. However, the accuracy of ultrasound-based diagnosis depends highly on expertise of radiologists. Computer-aided diagnosis systems based on ultrasound imaging assist in fast diagnosis, provide a reliable "second opinion" for experts, and act as an effective tool to measure response of treatment on patients undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we first describe appearance of liver abnormalities in ultrasound images and state the practical issues encountered in characterization of diffuse liver diseases that can be addressed by software algorithms. We then discuss computer-aided diagnosis in general with features and classifiers relevant to diffuse liver diseases. In later sections of this paper, we review the published studies and describe the key findings of those studies. A concise tabular summary comparing image database, features extraction, feature selection, and classification algorithms presented in the published studies is also exhibited. Finally, we conclude with a summary of key findings and directions for further improvements in the areas of accuracy and objectiveness of computer-aided diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puja Bharti
- 1 Department of Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering, Thapar University, Patiala, India
| | - Deepti Mittal
- 1 Department of Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering, Thapar University, Patiala, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Petitclerc L, Sebastiani G, Gilbert G, Cloutier G, Tang A. Liver fibrosis: Review of current imaging and MRI quantification techniques. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 45:1276-1295. [PMID: 27981751 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen in the liver interstitial space. All causes of chronic liver disease may lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The severity of liver fibrosis influences the decision to treat or the need to monitor hepatic or extrahepatic complications. The traditional reference standard for diagnosis of liver fibrosis is liver biopsy. However, this technique is invasive, associated with a risk of sampling error, and has low patient acceptance. Imaging techniques offer the potential for noninvasive diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of liver fibrosis. Recently, several of these have been implemented on ultrasound (US), computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Techniques that assess changes in liver morphology, texture, or perfusion that accompany liver fibrosis have been implemented on all three imaging modalities. Elastography, which measures changes in mechanical properties associated with liver fibrosis-such as strain, stiffness, or viscoelasticity-is available on US and MRI. Some techniques assessing liver shear stiffness have been adopted clinically, whereas others assessing strain or viscoelasticity remain investigational. Further, some techniques are only available on MRI-such as spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1 ρ), diffusion of water molecules, and hepatocellular function based on the uptake of a liver-specific contrast agent-remain investigational in the setting of liver fibrosis staging. In this review, we summarize the key concepts, advantages and limitations, and diagnostic performance of each technique. The use of multiparametric MRI techniques offers the potential for comprehensive assessment of chronic liver disease severity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1276-1295.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Léonie Petitclerc
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Giada Sebastiani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Gilbert
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,MR Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare Canada, Markham, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guy Cloutier
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, CRCHUM, 900 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - An Tang
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jeong SH, Hong HS, Lee EH. Diagnostic Utility of Acoustic Structure Quantification for Evaluation of Radiation Sialadenitis after Radioactive Iodine Therapy. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:2553-2561. [PMID: 27543124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) software was used to analyze statistical information on acquired echo signals, to determine the ability of ASQ to distinguish normal salivary glands of asymptomatic patients from glands of patients with radiation sialadenitis (RS) after radioactive iodine therapy. The ASQ values of 192 salivary glands were compared by multinomial logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. Between-observer agreement was assessed by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient. The mean ASQ values of patients with chronic RS or asymptomatic patients who had undergone radioactive iodine therapy were greater than those of patients with normal glands (p < 0.001). The ratio was associated with the highest odds ratio in patients with chronic RS compared with normal patients. Diagnostic performance was moderate; the intra-class correlation coefficient between observers was very good. ASQ can objectively differentiate RS-affected tissue from normal salivary tissue and is thus valuable for clinically diagnosing RS after radioactive iodine therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Hye Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Sook Hong
- Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun Hye Lee
- Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Analysis of fluctuation for pixel-pair distance in co-occurrence matrix applied to ultrasonic images for diagnosis of liver fibrosis. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2016; 44:23-35. [PMID: 27757555 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-016-0741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic liver disease requires careful follow-up during long-term treatment, and development of a quantitative diagnosis method for liver fibrosis based on an ultrasonic imaging system is highly desired. METHODS Texture analysis using a co-occurrence matrix was applied to both clinical and simulated ultrasonic images of fibrotic livers. A sequence of matrices was generated for pixel-pair distance, r, and texture feature contrast was chosen to examine the response to r in combination with statistical analysis of echo amplitude distribution using a multi-Rayleigh model. RESULTS The contrast converged with a larger value and fluctuated more significantly in response to r as fibrosis progressed in both the clinical and simulated ultrasonic images. The convergent value rapidly increased at the early stage of fibrosis, and the fluctuation became larger at the advanced stage of fibrosis. Analysis using simulated ultrasonic images with a known fibrous tissue structure theoretically clarified the relationship between contrast behavior and fibrosis progression. CONCLUSION It was revealed that contrast convergent value and contrast fluctuation provided information on the fibrous tissue structure, and they are expected to be used for quantitative diagnosis of the degree of liver fibrosis.
Collapse
|
34
|
Effects of Fatty Infiltration of the Liver on the Shannon Entropy of Ultrasound Backscattered Signals. ENTROPY 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/e18090341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
35
|
Tsui PH, Ho MC, Tai DI, Lin YH, Wang CY, Ma HY. Acoustic structure quantification by using ultrasound Nakagami imaging for assessing liver fibrosis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33075. [PMID: 27605260 PMCID: PMC5015103 DOI: 10.1038/srep33075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) is a recently developed technique widely used for detecting liver fibrosis. Ultrasound Nakagami parametric imaging based on the Nakagami distribution has been widely used to model echo amplitude distribution for tissue characterization. We explored the feasibility of using ultrasound Nakagami imaging as a model-based ASQ technique for assessing liver fibrosis. Standard ultrasound examinations were performed on 19 healthy volunteers and 91 patients with chronic hepatitis B and C (n = 110). Liver biopsy and ultrasound Nakagami imaging analysis were conducted to compare the METAVIR score and Nakagami parameter. The diagnostic value of ultrasound Nakagami imaging was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The Nakagami parameter obtained through ultrasound Nakagami imaging decreased with an increase in the METAVIR score (p < 0.0001), representing an increase in the extent of pre-Rayleigh statistics for echo amplitude distribution. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.88 for the diagnosis of any degree of fibrosis (≥F1), whereas it was 0.84, 0.69, and 0.67 for ≥F2, ≥F3, and ≥F4, respectively. Ultrasound Nakagami imaging is a model-based ASQ technique that can be beneficial for the clinical diagnosis of early liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Ho
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dar-In Tai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsiu Lin
- Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Yin Wang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Yang Ma
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ma HY, Lin YH, Wang CY, Chen CN, Ho MC, Tsui PH. Ultrasound window-modulated compounding Nakagami imaging: Resolution improvement and computational acceleration for liver characterization. ULTRASONICS 2016; 70:18-28. [PMID: 27125557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound Nakagami imaging is an attractive method for visualizing changes in envelope statistics. Window-modulated compounding (WMC) Nakagami imaging was reported to improve image smoothness. The sliding window technique is typically used for constructing ultrasound parametric and Nakagami images. Using a large window overlap ratio may improve the WMC Nakagami image resolution but reduces computational efficiency. Therefore, the objectives of this study include: (i) exploring the effects of the window overlap ratio on the resolution and smoothness of WMC Nakagami images; (ii) proposing a fast algorithm that is based on the convolution operator (FACO) to accelerate WMC Nakagami imaging. Computer simulations and preliminary clinical tests on liver fibrosis samples (n=48) were performed to validate the FACO-based WMC Nakagami imaging. The results demonstrated that the width of the autocorrelation function and the parameter distribution of the WMC Nakagami image reduce with the increase in the window overlap ratio. One-pixel shifting (i.e., sliding the window on the image data in steps of one pixel for parametric imaging) as the maximum overlap ratio significantly improves the WMC Nakagami image quality. Concurrently, the proposed FACO method combined with a computational platform that optimizes the matrix computation can accelerate WMC Nakagami imaging, allowing the detection of liver fibrosis-induced changes in envelope statistics. FACO-accelerated WMC Nakagami imaging is a new-generation Nakagami imaging technique with an improved image quality and fast computation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Yang Ma
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsiu Lin
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Yin Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Nien Chen
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Ho
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Investigation of Acoustic Structure Quantification in the Diagnosis of Thyroiditis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2016; 206:601-8. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.15.14586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
38
|
Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis using acoustic structure quantification: comparison with transient elastography in chronic viral hepatitis. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2016; 41:239-47. [PMID: 26867905 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-015-0597-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) parameters [mode, average, and focal distribution (FD) ratio] in the staging of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and to compare it with transient elastography (TE) by using liver biopsy as reference standard. METHODS We studied 62 patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Each patient underwent ASQ evaluation and liver biopsy; 54 of these patients received TE. Thirty-six participants without any liver disease were enrolled as normal group, who also underwent ASQ evaluation and TE. All three parameters of ASQ were compared with the histologic fibrosis grade according to the METAVIR scoring (F0-F4). Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the correlations and the diagnostic values of ASQ parameters and compare them to TE. RESULTS All three ASQ parameters and TE were significantly correlated with liver fibrosis stage. Of the ASQ parameters, the mode parameter showed the best correlation (P < 0.001). On the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the mode parameter of ASQ analysis showed both significant correlation and good accuracy for diagnosis of F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, and F ≥ 3. These values were significantly better than those of the average and FD ratio parameters in F ≥ 1 and F ≥ 2 (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in AUROC between the mode parameter and TE in diagnosis of F ≥ 1, F ≥ 2, or F ≥ 3. CONCLUSIONS The mode parameter is the most reliable ASQ parameter, comparable to TE, as a non-invasive method for the detection and grading of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
Collapse
|
39
|
Son JY, Lee JY, Yi NJ, Lee KW, Suh KS, Kim KG, Lee JM, Han JK, Choi BI. Hepatic Steatosis: Assessment with Acoustic Structure Quantification of US Imaging. Radiology 2016; 278:257-64. [DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2015141779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
40
|
Keller J, Kaltenbach TEM, Haenle MM, Oeztuerk S, Graeter T, Mason RA, Seufferlein T, Kratzer W. Comparison of Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ), shearwave elastography and histology in patients with diffuse hepatopathies. BMC Med Imaging 2015; 15:58. [PMID: 26637242 PMCID: PMC4670544 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-015-0100-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of novel ultrasonographic modalities in comparison with simultaneously performed liver biopsy. Methods The results of simultaneously performed examinations using Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ), Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification (VTIQ) and Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification (VTTQ) were compared with the findings of liver biopsy in patients with a wide variety of diffuse hepatopathies (n = 51). The histologically determined fibrosis stage according to Desmet and Scheuer was compared with quantitative measurements returned by the ultrasonographic imaging modalities. Results No statistically significant correlation with histologically determined fibrosis stage could be identified for any measurements returned using ASQ. Increasing severity of hepatic steatosis, however, was associated with a reduction in the focal disturbance (FD) ratio (r = −0.55; p < 0.0001). The shearwave velocities measured using VTTQ satisfyingly correlated with fibrosis stage (r = 0.56; p > 0.0001). Fibrosis stages > F2 were associated with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95 %-CI:0.84–0.99). A cut-off value for shearwave velocity of 1.66 m/s was determined with a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 84 %. VTIQ showed a less pronounced but acceptable correlation with fibrosis stage (r = 0.35; p = 0.0154). For fibrosis stages > F2 analysis showed an AUC of 0.84 (95 %-CI:0.70–0.93). The cut-off value was 1.82 m/s with a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 58 %. Conclusion While ASQ showed no diagnostic advantage in our patient collective, VTTQ showed high reliability for determining severe liver fibrosis in a group of patients with diffuse liver diseases of different etiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Keller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Tanja Eva-Maria Kaltenbach
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Mark Martin Haenle
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Suemeyra Oeztuerk
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Tilmann Graeter
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Richard Andrew Mason
- Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10601 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Thomas Seufferlein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Kratzer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany. .,Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, D-89081, Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Rhee SJ, Hong HS, Kim CH, Lee EH, Cha JG, Jeong SH. Using Acoustic Structure Quantification During B-Mode Sonography for Evaluation of Hashimoto Thyroiditis. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2015; 34:2237-2243. [PMID: 26543169 DOI: 10.7863/ultra.14.11077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Nasushiobara, Japan) values in the diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis using B-mode sonography and to identify a cutoff ASQ level that differentiates Hashimoto thyroiditis from normal thyroid tissue. METHODS A total of 186 thyroid lobes with Hashimoto thyroiditis and normal thyroid glands underwent sonography with ASQ imaging. The quantitative results were reported in an echo amplitude analysis (Cm(2)) histogram with average, mode, ratio, standard deviation, blue mode, and blue average values. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic ability of the ASQ values in differentiating Hashimoto thyroiditis from normal thyroid tissue. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the ASQ values were obtained between 2 observers. RESULTS Of the 186 thyroid lobes, 103 (55%) had Hashimoto thyroiditis, and 83 (45%) were normal. There was a significant difference between the ASQ values of Hashimoto thyroiditis glands and those of normal glands (P < .001). The ASQ values in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis were significantly greater than those in patients with normal thyroid glands. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the ratio, blue average, average, blue mode, mode, and standard deviation were: 0.936, 0.902, 0.893, 0.855, 0.846, and 0.842, respectively. The ratio cutoff value of 0.27 offered the best diagnostic performance, with sensitivity of 87.38% and specificity of 95.18%. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.86 to 0.94, which indicated substantial agreement between the observers. CONCLUSIONS Acoustic Structure Quantification is a useful and promising sonographic method for diagnosing Hashimoto thyroiditis. Not only could it be a helpful tool for quantifying thyroid echogenicity, but it also would be useful for diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Jung Rhee
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea (S.J.R.); and Department of Radiology (S.J.R., H.S.H., E.H.L., J.G.C., S.H.J.) and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine (C.-H.K.), Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Hyun Sook Hong
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea (S.J.R.); and Department of Radiology (S.J.R., H.S.H., E.H.L., J.G.C., S.H.J.) and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine (C.-H.K.), Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
| | - Chul-Hee Kim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea (S.J.R.); and Department of Radiology (S.J.R., H.S.H., E.H.L., J.G.C., S.H.J.) and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine (C.-H.K.), Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Eun Hye Lee
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea (S.J.R.); and Department of Radiology (S.J.R., H.S.H., E.H.L., J.G.C., S.H.J.) and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine (C.-H.K.), Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jang Gyu Cha
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea (S.J.R.); and Department of Radiology (S.J.R., H.S.H., E.H.L., J.G.C., S.H.J.) and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine (C.-H.K.), Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Sun Hye Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea (S.J.R.); and Department of Radiology (S.J.R., H.S.H., E.H.L., J.G.C., S.H.J.) and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine (C.-H.K.), Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
A Computer-Aided Diagnosis Scheme For Detection Of Fatty Liver In Vivo Based On Ultrasound Kurtosis Imaging. J Med Syst 2015; 40:33. [DOI: 10.1007/s10916-015-0395-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
43
|
Assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B using acoustic structure quantification: quantitative morphological ultrasound. Eur Radiol 2015; 26:2344-51. [PMID: 26486937 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-4056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To prospectively investigate the usefulness of acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS Consecutive patients with CHB scheduled for liver biopsy or partial liver resection underwent standardized ASQ examinations. The ASQ parameter, named focal disturbance (FD) ratio, were compared with METAVIR scores. The analysis was based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 114 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. The area under the ROC curve for the FD ratio was 0.84 for significant fibrosis (≥ F2), 0.86 for severe fibrosis (≥ F3), and 0.83 for cirrhosis (= F4). The optimal cutoff values for the FD ratio were 0.25, 0.30 and 0.50 for fibrosis stages ≥ F2, ≥ F3 and = F4, respectively. The prevalence of a difference of at least two stages between the FD ratio and the histological stage was 12.3 % (14 of 114). The fibrosis stage (P < 0.001), degree of steatosis (P < 0.001) were independent factors associated with the FD ratio. CONCLUSIONS FD ratio should be an effective noninvasive imaging biomarker for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with CHB. KEY POINTS • Focal disturbance (FD) ratio increased with the increasing histological fibrosis stages. • FD ratio showed promising diagnostic accuracy in assessing liver fibrosis. • Degree of fibrosis and steatosis were independent factors associated with FD ratio.
Collapse
|
44
|
Huang Y, Liu GJ, Liao B, Huang GL, Liang JY, Zhou LY, Wang F, Li W, Xie XY, Wang W, Lu MD. Impact factors and the optimal parameter of acoustic structure quantification in the assessment of liver fibrosis. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:2360-2367. [PMID: 26055966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The aims of the present study are to assess the impact factors on acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) ultrasound and find the optimal parameter for the assessment of liver fibrosis. Twenty healthy volunteers underwent ASQ examinations to evaluate impact factors in ASQ image acquisition and analysis. An additional 113 patients with liver diseases underwent standardized ASQ examinations, and the results were compared with histologic staging of liver fibrosis. We found that the right liver displayed lower values of ASQ parameters than the left (p = 0.000-0.021). Receive gain experienced no significant impact except gain 70 (p = 0.193-1.000). With regard to different diameter of involved vessels in regions of interest, the group ≤2.0 mm differed significantly with the group 2.1-5.0 mm (p = 0.000-0.033) and the group >5.0 mm (p = 0.000-0.062). However, the region of interest size (p = 0.438-1.000) and depth (p = 0.072-0.764) had no statistical impact. Good intra- and inter-operator reproducibilities were found in both image acquisitions and offline image analyses. In the liver fibrosis study, the focal disturbance ratio had the highest correlation with histologic fibrosis stage (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the testing position, receive gain and involved vessels were the main factors in ASQ examinations and focal disturbance ratio was the optimal parameter in the assessment of liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Huang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guang-Jian Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Liao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guang-Liang Huang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin-Yu Liang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu-Yao Zhou
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fen Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Xie
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ming-De Lu
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Tsui PH, Wan YL, Tai DI, Shu YC. Effects of Estimators on Ultrasound Nakagami Imaging in Visualizing the Change in the Backscattered Statistics from a Rayleigh Distribution to a Pre-Rayleigh Distribution. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:2240-51. [PMID: 25959057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound Nakagami imaging has recently attracted interest as an imaging technique for analyzing envelope statistics. Because the presence of structures has a strong effect on estimation of the Nakagami parameter, previous studies have indicated that Nakagami imaging should be used specifically for characterization of soft tissues with fewer structures, such as liver tissues. Typically, changes in the properties of the liver parenchyma cause the backscattered statistics to transform from a Rayleigh distribution to a pre-Rayleigh distribution, and this transformation can be visualized using a Nakagami imaging technique. However, different estimators result in different estimated values; thus, the performance of a Nakagami image may depend on the type of estimator used. This study explored the effects of various estimators on ultrasound Nakagami imaging to describe the backscattered statistics as they change from a Rayleigh distribution to a pre-Rayleigh distribution. Simulations and clinical measurements involving patients with liver fibrosis (n = 85) yielded image data that were used to construct B-mode and conventional Nakagami images based on the moment estimator (denoted as mINV images) and maximum-likelihood estimator (denoted as mML images). In addition, novel window-modulated compounding Nakagami images based on the moment estimator (denoted as mWMC images) were also obtained. The means and standard deviations of the Nakagami parameters were examined as a function of the backscattered statistics. The experimental results indicate that the mINV, mML and mWMC images enabled quantitative visualization of the change in backscattered statistics from a Rayleigh distribution to a pre-Rayleigh distribution. Importantly, the mWMC image is superior to both mINV and mML images because it simultaneously realizes sensitive detection of the backscattered statistics and a reduction of estimation variance for image smoothness improvement. We therefore recommend using mWMC image as a novel strategy in Nakagami imaging technique for liver tissue characterization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yung-Liang Wan
- Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Dar-In Tai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Shu
- Department of Mathematics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Karlas T, Berger J, Garnov N, Lindner F, Busse H, Linder N, Schaudinn A, Relke B, Chakaroun R, Tröltzsch M, Wiegand J, Keim V. Estimating steatosis and fibrosis: Comparison of acoustic structure quantification with established techniques. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:4894-4902. [PMID: 25945002 PMCID: PMC4408461 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i16.4894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To compare ultrasound-based acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) with established non-invasive techniques for grading and staging fatty liver disease.
METHODS: Type 2 diabetic patients at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 50) and healthy volunteers (n = 20) were evaluated using laboratory analysis and anthropometric measurements, transient elastography (TE), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS; only available for the diabetic cohort), and ASQ. ASQ parameters mode, average and focal disturbance (FD) ratio were compared with: (1) the extent of liver fibrosis estimated from TE and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis scores; and (2) the amount of steatosis, which was classified according to CAP values.
RESULTS: Forty-seven diabetic patients (age 67.0 ± 8.6 years; body mass index 29.4 ± 4.5 kg/m²) with reliable CAP measurements and all controls (age 26.5 ± 3.2 years; body mass index 22.0 ± 2.7 kg/m²) were included in the analysis. All ASQ parameters showed differences between healthy controls and diabetic patients (P < 0.001, respectively). The ASQ FD ratio (logarithmic) correlated with the CAP (r = -0.81, P < 0.001) and 1H-MRS (r = -0.43, P = 0.004) results. The FD ratio [CAP < 250 dB/m: 107 (102-109), CAP between 250 and 300 dB/m: 106 (102-114); CAP between 300 and 350 dB/m: 105 (100-112), CAP ≥ 350 dB/m: 102 (99-108)] as well as mode and average parameters, were reduced in cases with advanced steatosis (ANOVA P < 0.05). However, none of the ASQ parameters showed a significant difference in patients with advanced fibrosis, as determined by TE and the NAFLD fibrosis score (P > 0.08, respectively).
CONCLUSION: ASQ parameters correlate with steatosis, but not with fibrosis in fatty liver disease. Steatosis estimation with ASQ should be further evaluated in biopsy-controlled studies.
Collapse
|
47
|
Tsui PH, Tsai YW. Artifact reduction of ultrasound Nakagami imaging by combining multifocus image reconstruction and the noise-assisted correlation algorithm. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2015; 37:53-69. [PMID: 24626567 DOI: 10.1177/0161734614526379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have investigated Nakagami imaging to complement the B-scan in tissue characterization. The noise-induced artifact and the parameter ambiguity effect can affect performance of Nakagami imaging in the detection of variations in scatterer concentration. This study combined multifocus image reconstruction and the noise-assisted correlation algorithm (NCA) into the algorithm of Nakagami imaging to suppress the artifacts. A single-element imaging system equipped with a 5 MHz transducer was used to perform the brightness/depth (B/D) scanning of agar phantoms with scatterer concentrations ranging from 2 to 32 scatterers/mm(3). Experiments were also carried out on a mass with some strong point reflectors in a breast phantom using a commercial scanner with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer operated at multifocus mode. The multifocus radiofrequency (RF) signals after the NCA process were used for Nakagami imaging. In the experiments on agar phantoms, an increasing scatterer concentration from 2 to 32 scatterers/mm(3) led to backscattered statistics ranging from pre-Rayleigh to Rayleigh distributions, corresponding to the increase in the Nakagami parameter measured in the focal zone from 0.1 to 0.8. However, the artifacts in the far field resulted in the Nakagami parameters of various scatterer concentrations to be close to 1 (Rayleigh distribution), making Nakagami imaging difficult to characterize scatterers. In the same scatterer concentration range, multifocus Nakagami imaging with the NCA simultaneously suppressed two types of artifacts, making the Nakagami parameter increase from 0.1 to 0.8 in the focal zone and from 0.18 to 0.7 in the far field, respectively. In the breast phantom experiments, the backscattered statistics of the mass corresponded to a high degree of pre-Rayleigh distribution. The Nakagami parameter of the mass before and after artifact reduction was 0.7 and 0.37, respectively. The results demonstrated that the proposed method for artifact reduction allows a sensitive and effective scatterer characterization by Nakagami imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Tsai
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Krämer C, Jaspers N, Nierhoff D, Kuhr K, Bowe A, Goeser T, Michels G. Acoustic structure quantification ultrasound software proves imprecise in assessing liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in parenchymal liver diseases. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2014; 40:2811-2818. [PMID: 25308947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2014.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 07/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ) ultrasound software in liver biopsy of patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Eighty patients (47 ± 14 y, 41 men) with chronic liver diseases underwent ultrasound examination of the liver and liver biopsy. In addition to the standard-care ultrasound examination, three valid gray-scale images were obtained for each patient. With the ASQ software, the average and peak values (Cm(2)) of each ultrasound gray-scale image were calculated and then compared with histologic fibrosis staging (F0-F4). No correlation was found between ASQ values and histologic fibrosis stage (p > 0.05). Areas under the curve for the diagnosis of no or mild fibrosis (F0 and F1), moderate/severe fibrosis (F2 and F3) and cirrhosis (F4) using average/peak Cm(2) values of small regions of interest were 0.46/0.43, 0.62/0.68 and 0.38/0.33. Determination of liver fibrosis with ASQ in its present form as an alternative approach to liver biopsy is too imprecise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Krämer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department III of Internal Medicine, Heart Centre of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Natalie Jaspers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Nierhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kathrin Kuhr
- Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andrea Bowe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tobias Goeser
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Guido Michels
- Department III of Internal Medicine, Heart Centre of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Gerstenmaier JF, Gibson RN. Ultrasound in chronic liver disease. Insights Imaging 2014; 5:441-55. [PMID: 24859758 PMCID: PMC4141343 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-014-0336-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the high prevalence of diffuse liver disease there is a strong clinical need for noninvasive detection and grading of fibrosis and steatosis as well as detection of complications. Methods B-mode ultrasound supplemented by portal system Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are the principal techniques in the assessment of liver parenchyma and portal venous hypertension and in hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance. Results Fibrosis can be detected and staged with reasonable accuracy using Transient Elastography and Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging. Newer elastography techniques are emerging that are undergoing validation and may further improve accuracy. Ultrasound grading of hepatic steatosis currently is predominantly qualitative. Conclusion A summary of methods including B-mode, Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and various elastography techniques, and their current performance in assessing the liver, is provided. Teaching Points • Diffuse liver disease is becoming more prevalent and there is a strong clinical need for noninvasive detection. • Portal hypertension can be best diagnosed by demonstrating portosystemic collateral venous flow. • B-mode US is the principal US technique supplemented by portal system Doppler. • B-mode US is relied upon in HCC surveillance, and CEUS is useful in the evaluation of possible HCC. • Fibrosis can be detected and staged with reasonable accuracy using TE and ARFI. • US detection of steatosis is currently reasonably accurate but grading of severity is of limited accuracy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J F Gerstenmaier
- Department of Radiology, (RNG also University of Melbourne) The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia,
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kaltenbach TEM, Gruener B, Akinli AS, Kratzer W, Oeztuerk S, Mason RA, Haenle MM, Graeter T. Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ): a new tool in sonographic examination of liver lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2014; 41:445-53. [PMID: 27278025 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-014-0540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Qualitative and quantitative acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) is a new, noninvasive sonographic imaging method based on B-mode. This prospective clinical pilot study aims to answer the question whether delineation and measurement of liver lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) can be improved by ASQ. Furthermore, this is the first pilot study to explore how ASQ parameters in HAE lesions develop. METHODS A total of 24 patients (male = 13/female = 11, mean age = 52 years (16-85), mean disease duration = 68 months (1-334)) with HAE were examined with ASQ using a Toshiba Aplio 500 unit. ASQ parameters were measured in HAE liver lesions and in adjacent non-tumor parenchyma. Quantitative analysis was performed offline using ASQ quantification software. RESULTS Subjectively parasitic tumors in HAE appear more prominent in color-coded ASQ imaging, but the size of lesions measured in ASQ mode does not differ from size measurements in B-mode. Median focal disturbance ratio (FD ratio) in lesions was 3 (0.1-3), compared with 0.5 (0.1-1.8) in surrounding liver parenchyma (p < 0.0001). Statistical comparison of other ASQ parameters (mode, average, standard deviation) shows results that are similarly significant with p values between p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0018. CONCLUSION ASQ is a promising sonographic method for examination and quantification of structural changes of liver parenchyma in HAE lesions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Eva-Maria Kaltenbach
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Beate Gruener
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center (CIDC) Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Atilla Serif Akinli
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kratzer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Suemeyra Oeztuerk
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard Andrew Mason
- Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Mark Martin Haenle
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tilmann Graeter
- Department of Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|