Assessment of liver elasticity and viscosity using ultrasound shear wave dispersion: A study of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in a rat model

Abstract

To investigate the value of shear wave (SW) speed (m/s) and dispersion slope ([m/s]/kHz), which is related to viscosity obtained by a prototype ultrasound elastography system in rat livers with various degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. SW speed was significantly higher in the fibrosis model rats (G3) than in the inflammation model rats (G1). Dispersion slope was significantly higher in the inflammation model rats (G2) than in the fibrosis model rats (G4). These results indicate that SW speed is more effective than dispersion slope in assessing the degree of fibrosis and also suggest that dispersion slope is more effective than SW speed in assessing the degree of inflammation. Dispersion slope measurements may provide additional pathophysiological insights into liver tissue.