A prospective, pilot study using acoustic radiation force imaging (ARFI) ultrasound (US) to quantify liver stiffness in children and young adults with chronic liver disease. ARFI results will be compared to the current clinical standard of Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) and to liver biopsy when available.
ARFI US is a novel technique, recently FDA approved for use in children and adults, which provides an alternative method for quantifying liver stiffness. ARFI US has been shown in a small pilot investigation in Europe in children to be reliable and rapid in estimating moderate to severe liver stiffness using histology as a reference gold standard. ARFI measures the speed of a shear wave in the examined tissue, expressed in m/s. This shear wave velocity can be mathematically converted into a liver stiffness value, which can then be used to estimate degree of liver fibrosis. The technique is non-invasive, uses no ionizing radiation, and is fast (several minutes to complete). It is possible that ARFI US will be more accurate than MRE in quantifying liver stiffness. In addition, ARFI US will ultimately be a less expensive clinical test, shorter in duration, and will not require sedation/anesthesia in younger children as MRE requires.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
55
ARFI US is a novel technique, recently FDA approved for use in children and adults, which provides an alternative method for quantifying liver stiffness.
Agreement in Measured Liver Stiffness Between ARFI and MRE
The investigators are seeking to define agreement between ARFI and MRE liver stiffness measurements obtained in the same patients on the same day to determine if the modalities can be used interchangeably for measurement of liver stiffness and prediction of significant liver fibrosis
Time frame: Within 24 hours
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.