Capacity of shear wave telephotography in the diagnosis of diffuse liver disease

Abstract

Liver fifi brosis is a process that is developed by a result of chronic liver disease progression, and if this process is not stopped, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops. Fibrous and cirrhotic changes in the liver cause damage to the structure of the liver, disruption of function, and complications that endanger human life and lead to a fairly high percentage of lethality.This is why the diagnosis of diffuse liver disease at an early stage is a fundamental issue in modern radiology. Modern imaging techniques which are newly introduced in practice, ultrasound telephotography is used to diagnose liver fifi brosis. Based on this method it is possible to detect the altered elasticity of liver tissue in a non-invasive way and to determine the degree of fifi brosis. Early diagnosis of the disease and its timely treatment lead to a better prognosis. The aim of the literature review is to present the capabilities of shear wave telephotography in diagnosing and evaluating liver fifi brosis. We have researched and reviewed the relevant scientififi c literature, and brieflfl y summarized existing knowledge on the results of two-dimensional shear wave elastographic study in hepatology. The results of the study revealed the undoubted advantages and high reliability of shear wave telephotography, as well as showed its limitations. Our literature review confifi rms an important role of shear wave telephotography in the diagnosis of diffuse liver diseases and outlines aspects of future research to further improve this diagnostic method.