Point shear wave elastography (pSWE) using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging: a feasibility study and norm values for renal parenchymal stiffness in healthy children and adolescents

To evaluate the applicability of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for measuring renal parenchymal stiffness in healthy children and adolescents and to establish norm values for shear wave speed (SWS) using two ARFI methods and ultrasound probes. We prospectively investigated 264 children (43.9% males). pSWE (Virtual TouchTM Quantification and Virtual TouchTM Imaging Quantification (VTQ and VTIQ; Siemens, Germany)) was performed in the renal cortex of 528 healthy kidneys using a 1-6 MHz convex and a 4-9 MHz linear ultrasound probe in ventrolateral and dorsal examinations. Feasibility and reproducibility of pSWE measurements were evaluated. SWS values were analysed with regard to age, body dimensions, kidney volume and measuring depth. pSWE measurements were successful in >95% of subjects using the low and in