This volume explores the main applications of elastographic techniques in hepatological and gastroenterological diseases, and elaborates on the use of these diagnostic techniques in a broad range of clinical settings; in this regard, it provides a clear critical methodological approach to the correct indication, taking into account the existing diagnostic pathways, the actual diagnostic accuracy of elastographic techniques, and their impact on clinical practice in terms of correct positioning of the test in the diagnostic pathway and clinical outcomes improvement.

 

In the first chapters, which focus on the correct methodology for Diagnostic Accuracy Assessment of non -invasive techniques, the architecture of diagnostic research is discussed. In turn, the following sections describe a broad range of clinical applications in hepatology and gastroenterology. The closing section presents a number of case studies on practical issues, together with acritical discussion on how to promote the appropriate use of these technologies.

 

Given its scope, the book will be of interest to specialists, post-graduate medical students, and researchers in the fields of hepatology and gastroenterology.

 

Part-1: Introduction to Elastography. Elastographic measures: a methodological approach

Liver stiffness: thresholds of health
Part-2: Liver diseases. The role of transient elastography for fibrosis staging in HCV-related chronic liver disease
The role of elastography in HBV: assessing liver fibrosis
The role of transient elastography in NAFLD
Elastography in liver transplanted patients
Elastography in Autoimmune Liver Diseases
Transient elastography for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in people with alcohol-associated liver disease
Elastography after treatment and during follow-up
Elastography methods to assess chronic liver diseases: a critical comparison
The assessment of portal hypertention
Assessing disease severity and prognosis
Part-3: Extrahepatic diseases Pancreas
Pancreas: transabdominal ultrasound-based elastography
Endoscopic ultrasound elastography in pancreatic diseases
Part-4: Extrahepatic diseases Bowel. Application of elastography in patients with IBD. Stricturing Crohn's disease. Part-5: Spleen involvement in liver and non- liver diseases. Liver and spleen stiffness in vascular liver diseases
Liver and spleen stiffness in hematological diseases. Case Studies.