Survey on Awareness and Implementation Rate of Ultrasound Elastography and Attenuation Imaging

Objective Recent developments in ultrasound elastography (UE) and ultrasound attenuation imaging (UA) have enabled the detection of advanced liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD), which is prevalent worldwide. In patients with SLD, the presence of advanced liver fibrosis determines the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis, and UE and UA are expected to play important roles in liver cancer surveillance. We conducted a questionnaire survey among medical facilities in Saga Prefecture regarding the actual status of awareness and implementation of UE and UA. Methods A 16-item questionnaire was sent to 275 facilities that employed members of the Liver Cancer Control Medical Association in Saga Prefecture. The response rate was 56% (153 facilities), and data from 142 facilities were analyzed after excluding 11 facilities. Results The most common facilities were outpatient clinics (60%) followed by hospitals with ≥100 beds (14%). In 48% of the facilities, an average of 10-49 abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed monthly. The rates of recognition that UE and UA are useful for fibrosis and steatosis were 65% (92/142) and 41% (58/142), respectively. The actual availability of UE and UA in facilities with ultrasound machines was 21% (30/142) and 12% (17/142), respectively; UE and UA were used in 90% (27/30) and 88% (15/17) of these facilities, respectively. Conclusion Even among medical facilities in Saga Prefecture that are active in liver cancer surveillance, awareness of UE and UA is not high. The availability of UE and UA may be inadequate, considering the high prevalence of SLD.