Endoscopic Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Study

EUS combines ultrasound technology with endoscopy to gain an internal vantage point to obtain higher resolution ultrasound images. Shear Wave is a software option on the ultrasound system EUS that provides an advanced measure and dynamic display of tissue stiffness which is being evaluated for use in assessing liver fibrosis. Attenuation Imaging (ATI) is a novel application that provides the capability to quantify and color-code the changes in attenuation coefficient of the liver that may arise with changes in liver composition (e.g., increased fat levels).

A small ultrasound probe to measure the velocity of a sound wave passing through the liver. This is converted into kilopascals (kPa), which is used to assess liver fibrosis.

"A biopsy of liver tissue could be obtained under endoscopic ultrasound guidance, interventional radiology (percutaneously), or surgically.~Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided liver biopsy provides high resolution images of left lobe of the liver and a good portion of the right lobe of the liver. This, coupled with Doppler capability, allows the physician to direct the biopsy needle safely into the liver for sampling under real time image guidance."