Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for detection of liver fibrosis in overweight and obese children

BackgroundAcoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) is a non-invasive alternative to a liver biopsy for the evaluation of liver fibrosis (LF).PurposeTo investigate the potential usefulness of acoustic radiation force impulse ARFI for detecting LF in overweight and obese childrenMaterial and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 148 schoolchildren. A diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and LF was based on ultrasound (US) and ARFI shear wave velocity (SWV).ResultsThe laboratory parameters were normal in all the children. NAFLD was observed in 50 children (33.8%). The median SWV was 1.18 ± 0.28 m/s. Differences between ARFI categories and hepatic steatosis grades were observed (χ2 = 43.38, P = 0.0005). No fibrosis or insignificant fibrosis (SWV ≤ 1.60 m/s) was detected in 137 children (92.5%), and significant fibrosis (SWV > 1.60 m/s) in 11 children (7.5%), nine of whom had normal US or mild steatosis.ConclusionThe present study is the first to evaluate the utility of the ARFI tech...