Liver stiffness in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Medical Imaging
• Noninvasive Diagnostics

Background:

• Liver fibrosis severity can be assessed noninvasively using liver stiffness measurements.
• Techniques like vibration-controlled transient elastography, shear wave elastography, and magnetic resonance elastography are increasingly utilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in liver fibrosis assessment using novel techniques in chronic hepatitis C.
• To explore the correlation between liver stiffness values and biopsy-estimated fibrosis.
• To evaluate the prognostic role of liver stiffness in treatment monitoring, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices.

Main Methods:

• Literature search of PubMed and PubMed Central databases (January 2017-January 2018).
• Keywords used: "liver stiffness" and "hepatitis C".
• Focus on recent advances in elastographic techniques for liver fibrosis assessment.

Main Results:

• Liver stiffness values vary between different elastographic techniques; FibroScan thresholds are not universally applicable.
• Elevated liver stiffness measurements correlate with higher liver-related events in chronic hepatitis C patients.
• Liver stiffness >17 kPa predicts esophageal varices; spleen size is also a factor.
• Decreased liver stiffness indicates sustained virological response, while lack of decrease suggests relapse.

Conclusions:

• Liver stiffness measurements provide valuable insights into the severity and progression of liver disease.
• These noninvasive techniques aid in patient management and treatment response evaluation.