Shear‐wave elastography of the liver in a healthy pediatric population

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the elastic modulus values of normal liver tissue in school-age children by shear wave elastography (SWE) and to study the factors that influence these stiffness measurements. METHODS: Six hundred and four school-age children (295 girls and 309 boys) who were recruited at a hospital and had normal results of specific laboratory tests and imaging studies underwent SWE examinations. The elastic modulus values were obtained in segment V and VI for each subject and comparisons were made between age groups. RESULTS: The mean elastic modulus values for school-age children were 6.3 +/- 1.1 kPa for segment V and 6.2 +/- 1.1 kPa for segment VI. A positive linear trend in liver stiffness was found for the 6 to 9-year-old age group in segments V and VI (R(2) = 0.076 vs R(2) = 0.085, respectively, P .05). CONCLUSION: SWE is a feasible method to measure liver stiffness in the school-age population. We established a normal range of liver elastic modulus values in school-age children, which will provide a basis for evaluating the changes in liver stiffness caused by various diseases.