Comparison of intrahepatic vein-to-liver parenchyma and intercostal muscle-to-liver parenchyma strain ratios in the assessment of liver fibrosis: which one should we use?

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate whether there is a difference in diagnostic value between vein to parenchyma strain ratio (VPSR) and muscle to parenchyma strain ratio (MPSR). VPSR and MPSR were calculated via sonoelastography, and were recorded for comparison with histopathology. ROC analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rank correlation test were used for statistical analysis. The study included 59 cases of individuals who underwent biopsy (29 women, 30 men). When the threshold value for VPSR was set at 3.23, the sensitivity was 96.2% and the specificity was 83.3% (p < 0.001, F a parts per thousand yen 1). When the threshold value was set at 3.01 for MPR, the sensitivity was 88.7% and the specificity was 83.3% (p < 0.001, F a parts per thousand yen 1). The areas under the curve values were VPSR 0.95 and MPSR 0.92 for F a parts per thousand yen 1, VPSR 0.94 and MPSR 0.92 for F a parts per thousand yen 2, and VPSR 1.00 and MPSR 0.76 for F = 3 (p < 0.001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.75, and a high positive concordance was found between VPSR and MPSR (p < 0.001). In this study, a high positive correlation was observed between two strain ratios, and VPSR was found to be more reliable than MPSR in determining liver fibrosis.