Evaluating the Diagnostic Performance of Sound Touch Elastography, Visco-elastography, and Sound Attenuation in Chronic Liver Diseases Detection

This study aims to explore the diagnostic effectiveness of sound touch elastography (STE), visco-elastography, and ultrasound attenuation analysis (USAT) in some chronic liver diseases (CLDs).

From February 1st to September 30th, 2023, participants underwent multiple examinations on the same day, including sound touch elastography (STE), visco-elastography, ultrasound attenuation analysis (USAT), FibroScan-VCTE, and FibroScan-CAP. Statistical analysis utilized t-tests and rank sum tests to compare differences between the hepatic fibrosis and non-hepatic fibrosis groups, the hepatocellular injury state and non-hepatocellular injury state groups, and the fatty liver and non-fatty liver groups. The ROC curve of sound touch elastography, visco-elastography, and ultrasound attenuation analysis was calculated to obtain cut-off values, area under the curve, and corresponding sensitivity and specificity values.

This study comprised 310 patients, with age, height, alanine aminotransferase, ultrasound attenuation analysis, and FibroScan-CAP identified as significant variables for liver fibrosis, hepatocellular injury state, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The determined cut-off values for sound touch elastography, visco-elastography, and ultrasound attenuation analysis were 8.09 (7.30-9.17), 1.62 (1.49-1.74), and 0.68 (0.59-0.68), respectively. Based on these cut-off values, preliminary diagnoses can be made for seven different types of chronic liver diseases.

The combination of sound touch elastography, visco-elastography, and ultrasound attenuation analysis demonstrates strong reliability for early screening and diagnosis of chronic liver diseases, encompassing liver fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and hepatocellular injury state.