Value of ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of native kidney fibrosis.
In the last decade, ultrasound elastography, an already widely used technique in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis, has raised the attention of nephrologists as a potential valuable noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of renal fibrosis. Due to renal deep location and anatomic complexity, the shear wave techniques are the most appropriate elastography methods for exploring native kidneys. Recent research offers promising results, but further larger studies are required for a better standardization of this method and also for establishing reference values of normal kidney elasticity. This article reviews the studies conducted for exploring the native kidney, highlighting the advantages and limitations of ultrasound elastography for assessing fibrosis development in chronic kidney diseases.
Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, "St. John" Emergency Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Ileana
I
Peride
Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, "St. John" Emergency Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Daniela
D
Rădulescu
Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, "St. John" Emergency Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. niculaeandrei@yahoo.com.
Andrei
A
Niculae
Department of Radiology, "St. John" Emergency Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Vladimir
V
Ene
Department of Urology, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Emergency University Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Ovidiu Gabriel
OG
Bratu
Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, "St. John" Emergency Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Ionel Alexandru
IA
Checheriță
D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*