Comparison study of sound touch quantification and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in measuring liver and spleen stiffness

Objective To compare sound touch quantification (STQ) and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in measuring liver and spleen stiffness. Methods From January 2018 to April 2019, using STQ and ARFI technology, a total of one hundred and seventy subjects (71 healthy volunteers and 99 patients with chronic hepatitis B) were tested for liver and spleen stiffness. The success rate, variability and measured values of the two techniques were compared. Results The success rate of liver STQ and ARFI was 96.5% (164/170) and 95.9% (163/170) (χ2<0.001, P=0.996), and the variability was (6.48±4.72) %and (8.75±5.01) % (t=4.127, P<0.001), respectively. The success rate of spleen STQ and ARFI was 94.7% (161/170) and 92.9% (158/170) (χ2=0.215, P=0.643), and the variability was (7.34±4.26) % and (11.04±4.77) % (t=6.282, P<0.001), respectively. Normal liver STQ and ARFI values were (1.45±0.18) m/sand (1.15±0.30) m/s (t=7.565, P<0.001), and chronic hepatitis B patients were (1.59±0.26) m/s and (1.24±0.30) m/s (t=14.005, P<0.001). The normal spleen STQ and ARFI values were (2.31±0.25) m/sand (1.96±0.45) m/s (t=5.555, P<0.001), and chronic hepatitis B patients were (2.33±0.25) m/s and (2.08±0.42) m/s (t=5.396, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions The success rate of STQ and ARFI is high and the variability is low. Compared with ARFI, STQ further improves the stability of measurement. In addition, the measured values of STQ and ARFI cannot be directly equivalent, which needs to be distinguished in clinical application. Key words: Ultrasonography; Hepatitis B, chronic; Spleen; Hardness; Sound touch quantification; Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging