[Comparison of transient elastography and hepatic fibrosis assessed by histology in chronic liver disease].
OBJECTIVE
Transient elastography (Fibroscan, Echosens, France) is a new, simple, and non-invasive method to assess the degree of hepatic fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. Recent reports have shown that liver stiffness measurement using Fibroscan allowed accurate prediction of hepatic fibrosis in patient with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of Fibroscan for the detection of hepatic fibrosis in Korea with various etiologies of chronic liver disease by comparison with fibrosis assessed by histologic examination.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients with chronic liver diseases, which were histologically confirmed within recent 6 months were enrolled. Etiologies were HBV, HCV infection, autoimmune hepatitis, and non alcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatic fibrosis was graded on the basis of standard guideline proposed by the Korean Study Group for the Pathology of Digestive Diseases.


RESULTS
Fibroscan values were significantly higher in F3 (16.96 kPa) and F4 (19.86 kPa) than others (p=0.003). Liver stiffness measurement was significantly correlated to the fibrosis stage (r=0.614, p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Liver stiffness measurement by Fibroscan is a promising method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease because it accompanies no complication.
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Min Kyu
MK
Jung
Han Jin
HJ
Cho
Ho Chul
HC
Lee
Kwan Sik
KS
Park
Eun Hee
EH
Seo
Sung Woo
SW
Jeon
Chang Min
CM
Cho
Won Young
WY
Tak
Sung Kook
SK
Kim
Yong Hwan
YH
Choi
Young Oh
YO
Kweon
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004548:Elasticity; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers