title: ARFI: from basic principles to clinical applications in diffuse chronic disease-a review.
abstract: The many factors influencing the shear wave velocity (SWV) measured with Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) are examined in order to define the most correct examination technique. In particular, attention is given to the information achieved by experimental models, such as phantoms and animal studies. This review targets the clinical applications of ARFI in the evaluation of chronic diffuse disease, especially of liver and kidneys. The contribution of ARFI to the clinical workout of these patients and some possible perspectives are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Stiffness significantly varies among normal and abnormal biological tissues. • In clinical applications physical, geometrical, anatomical and physiological factors influence the SWV. • Elastographic techniques can quantify fibrosis, which is directly related to stiffness. • ARFI can be useful in chronic diffuse disease of liver and kidney.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Verona University, P.le LA Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy. costanza_bruno@libero.it.
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Technomed, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minniti
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Verona University, P.le LA Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Verona University, P.le LA Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pozzi Mucelli
keywords: Anisotropy; Elasticity imaging techniques; Fibrosis; Kidney diseases; Liver cirrhosis