[The methodology and influential factors of real-time elastography in liver examination].

Objective: To investigate the methodology and influential factors of real-time elastography (RTE) in liver examination.
Methods: Forty normal volunteers received the examination of liver with RTE. All strain images were analyzed by the Strain Histogram Measurement and the liver fibrosis index (LFI) values were recorded. Two-tailed t-test was used to evaluate the significance of the potential influence factors of RTE, including inter-lobar variations, respiratory phase, different sections and gender. A paired two-tailed t-test and Bland-Altman test were used in the analysis of the inter- and intra-observer consistency.
Results: There were significant differences between the LFI values in the left lobe and those in the right lobe (2.52 +/- 0.47 vs. 1.58 +/- 0.41), also between right intercostal and right sub-costal approach (1.58 +/- 0.41 vs. 1. 59 +/- 0.45). There were no significant differences either between the LFI values of end-expiration and those of end-inspiration (2.61 +/- 0.54 vs. 1.58 +/- 0.41) or between male and female (1.57 +/- 0.37 vs. 1.60 +/- 0.46). RTE showed goodness of fit between the inter- and intra-observer consistency.
Conclusion: Liver stiffness measurement performed by RTE at end-inspiration in the right lobe with inter-costal approach may reveal liver elasticity more accurately.