Liver and spleen elastography in patients with diffuse liver diseases

The purpose of the research was to estimate the clinical-diagnostic and predictive value of non-invasive ultrasonic elastography in dynamic monitoring in patients with diffuse liver disease. A number of 114 patients with diffuse liver disease were examined, specifically 68 (59.6%) men and 46 (40.4%) women. The patients were divided into three groups: 40 patients with steatosis; 38 with hepatitis; 36 with cirrhosis. The research included clinical and bio-chemical analysis, ultrasound examination of liver and spleen with doppler v. portae and v. lienalis, elastography of liver and spleen. The study found a high correlation of elastography data as regards the liver and spleen in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (r=0.96), average correlation (r=0.69) in patients with steatosis and hepatitis of alcoholic etiology. On the basis of the statistical program receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-analysis it was ascertained that the spleen is in perfect condition (AUC 0.9-1.0), and the liver is in a very good condition (0.8-0.9). The research revealed therapeutically significant factor ΔF/ΔL for dynamic monitoring: the ΔF/ΔL 1 can predict a more favorable course of the disease. Noninvasive ultrasound elastography helps to forecast the process of the disease and correct the therapeutic approach. The research contributes to the search for additional and reliable techniques of identifying the stage of disease of patients with hepatic fibrosis, the dynamics of the disease as well as forecasting further complications.