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Review
. 2023 Jul 27;10(8):1296.
doi: 10.3390/children10081296.

Ultrasound Elastography in Children

Mirjam Močnik  1 , Nataša Marčun Varda  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Ultrasound Elastography in Children

Mirjam Močnik et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Ultrasound elastography is a novel ultrasound technique, being extensively researched in children in the last decade. It measures tissue elasticity with the observation of tissue response after an external stimulus. From research to clinical practice, ultrasound elastography has evolved significantly in liver fibrosis evaluation in children; however, several other applications of the technique are available in both clinical practice and research environments. Practically, in children any organ can be assessed, including the brain in early ages, along with muscle and connective tissue elasticity evaluation, spleen, kidney, skin, lymphatic tissue, etc. The elastography method, age, body mass index and technical points should be considered when performing ultrasound elastography. This review highlights its vast potential as a diagnostic tool in the pediatric population, where ultrasound is a dominant imaging tool; however, the indications and exam protocol for its clinical use in several fields in pediatrics have yet to be elucidated.

Keywords: children; elastography; indications; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reported topics of ultrasound elastography use and research in children.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasound elastography using Canon aplio-a with maintenance of quality control by obtaining a standard deviation of less than 20% of the measurement as well as by maintaining an IQR/median ratio <30%.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Main limitations and advantages of ultrasound elastography.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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