Transient Elastography as Non-Invasive Examination of Hepatic Fibrosis

Abstract

Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in the noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Transient elastography appears to be excellent in assessing liver fibrosis. For the interpretation of liver stiffness measurements, the doctor should know the disease clinically, biologically and morphologically and its parameters. In chronic liver disease, especially in chronic hepatitis C, the value of liver stiffness is strongly correlated with fibrosis stage according to the histology score. Patients with similar fibrosis but high alanine aminotransferase levels tend to have higher liver stiffness values, especially in chronic hepatitis B, and diagnostic performance for low-stage fibrosis can be affected when ALT is elevated. Transient elastography is an excellent tool for early detection of cirrhosis. Although TE cannot completely fulfill the need for liver biopsy, it can be used as an important noninvasive tool that allows the setting up of more efficient and custom management strategies for patients with chronic liver disease