EUS elastography: How to do it?

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Gastroenterology
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is crucial for visualizing gastrointestinal structures.
• Strain elastography, a technique assessing tissue mechanical properties, has been adapted for EUS (EUS-real-time tissue elastography [RTE]).
• EUS-RTE provides qualitative information on relative tissue stiffness, aiding in differentiating tissue types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental principles of EUS-RTE.
• To describe the technical aspects and interpretation guidelines for EUS-RTE.
• To discuss optimization strategies, common pitfalls, and artifacts encountered during EUS-RTE examinations.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and established practices in EUS-RTE.
• Explanation of the physics and application of strain elastography within the EUS framework.
• Discussion of qualitative assessment of tissue stiffness based on elastographic patterns.

Main Results:

• EUS-RTE is a valuable qualitative tool for assessing relative tissue stiffness in various organs.
• Understanding EUS-RTE principles and technique is essential for accurate interpretation.
• Knowledge of potential artifacts and optimization methods improves diagnostic yield.

Conclusions:

• EUS-RTE offers complementary information to conventional EUS imaging by evaluating tissue elasticity.
• This review provides a comprehensive guide for clinicians utilizing or learning EUS-RTE.
• Further research may explore quantitative aspects and standardized protocols for EUS-RTE.