Ultrasound Elastography for Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions

Focal liver lesions (FLL) are typically detected by conventional ultrasound or other imaging modalities. After the detection of FLL, further characterization is essential, and this can be done by contrast-enhanced imaging techniques, e.g., contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by means of biopsy with histological evaluation. Elastographic techniques are nowadays integrated into high-end ultrasound systems and their value for the detection of severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis has been shown in studies and meta-analyses. The use of an ultrasound elastographic technique for the differentiation of malignant and benign liver tumors is less well-established. This review summarizes the current data on utility and performance of ultrasound elastography for the characterization of FLL.

Automated summary

Focal liver lesions (FLL) can be detected by various imaging techniques, and further characterization is necessary. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly used for this purpose. Ultrasound elastography has shown potential for detecting liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, but its use in differentiating malignant and benign liver tumors is not well-established. This review provides an overview of the current data on the utility and performance of ultrasound elastography for characterizing FLL.