title: The influence of liver residual mass on the values of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography (ARFI) in cirrhotic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to assess the influence of liver residual mass in cirrhotic patients on the liver stiffness (LS), measured by ARFI elastography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundreds eleven cirrhotic patients were enrolled. To evaluate the liver residual mass, the Child-Pugh and MELD scores were used and 10 valid ARFI measurements were performed. The correlation between Child-Pugh, MELD scores and the LS were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Valid ARFI measurements were not obtained in 3 patients. A direct, very low correlation between the LS values and the Child-Pugh (r=0.264, p<0.001) and MELD scores (r=0.194, p=0.005) was found. A direct, low correlation between LS measurements and total bilirubin (r=0.271, p<0.001) and an inverse, low correlation with albumin (r=-0.270, p<0.001), prothrombin time (r=-0.196, p=0.006), cholinesterase (r=-0.241, p=0.003) was obtained. The LS mean values were statistically significant higher in patients with Child-Pugh class B vs. A (p=0.002) and in Child-Pugh C vs. A (p<0.001). The values were not significantly different in patients with Child-Pugh B vs. C (p=0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher values of LS measurements by means of ARFI could be an indicator of decreased liver functional reserve, evaluated by means of Child Pugh or Meld scores.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania. bota_simona1982@yahoo.com
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Bota
authors: Ioan
authors: I
authors: Sporea
authors: Roxana
authors: R
authors: Sirli
authors: Alina
authors: A
authors: Popescu
authors: Mirela
authors: M
authors: Dănilă
authors: Mădălina
authors: M
authors: Sendroiu
mesh_terms: D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged