Clinical Abstracts using Hitachi Real-time Tissue Elastography

Real-time sonoelastography (RSE) is a relatively new imaging technique that visualizes relative difference in tissue hardness by evaluating changes in local strain in response to external stress. Our aim was to evaluate the ability of investigators to use sonoelastography to detect differences in renal cortical stiffness and assess the relationship between stiffness and clinical-Doppler parameters. In 42 adult renal transplant recipients, sonoelastography of kidney was performed to calculate the strain ratio (SR) of the central echo complex to the renal parenchyma. Resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were also measured. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Parenchymal stiffness showed significant positive correlation with RI and PI (r: 0.41 p = 0.007 and r: 0.48 p = 0.001, respectively). Parenchymal stiffness and eGFR did not have a significant correlation (p = 0.42). Interobserver agreement, expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.47 (95% CI: 0.05-0.70). Parenchymal stiffness (SR) showed significant positive correlation with RI and PI but sonoelastography has also wide range intraand low interobserver agreement in renal transplants. Further studies are warranted in larger patient groups to determine the reliability of sonoelastography in renal transplants Ultrasound Med Biol. 2013 Jan;39(1):4-9. Epub 2012 Oct 26.