Transient elastography – role in the assessment of the liver disease development

Abstract

Transient elastography, an examination based on the liver stiffness measurement, is a method validated for the non-invasive liver fibrosis staging. This method was recently successfully introduced into routine clinical practice. In accordance with the global-wide screening of viral hepatitis (chronic viral hepatitis type B and type C) and with the increasing effectiveness of antiviral therapy, as well as with the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the part of population requiring the care of hepatologists is certain to increase. Now more than ever we need a non-invasive, fast, safe, inexpensive and reliable method for evaluating patients with chronic liver disease. A new area of ​use of elastography appears to be used to measure the stiffness of the spleen as a prediction of the presence of esophageal varices or the stiffness (or rather fibrosis) of transplanted kidneys. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive view of transient elastography, its principles, advantages and pitfalls, including its use in everyday clinical practice.