Two-dimensional shear wave elastography with propagation-based reliability assessment for grading hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension

Background The aim of the present study was to examine the diagnostic ability of two‐dimensional shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) with propagation‐based reliability for grading of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension. Methods This prospective study (UMIN000022838) consisted of 135 subjects. Phase I (n = 40) examined the effect of standard deviation (SD)/median as the reliability criterion of 2D‐SWE, and phase II (n = 95) compared the diagnostic ability of 2D‐SWE under the best SD/median value and transient elastography (TE). Results Phase I reported 0.49 as a best cut‐off SD/median value. In phase II, the elasticity showed a correlation between the 2D‐SWE and TE (r = 0.88, P