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Non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

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Abstract

Portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis are key pathophysiologies with major manifestations in cirrhosis. Although the degree of portal pressure and hepatic fibrosis are pivotal parameters, both are determined using invasive procedures. Ultrasound (US) is a simple and non-invasive technique that is available for use worldwide in the abdominal field. Because of its safety and easy of use, contrast-enhanced US is one of the most frequently used tools in the management of liver tumors for the detection and characterization of lesions, assessment of malignancy grade, and evaluation of therapeutic effects. This wide range of applications drives the practical use of contrast-enhanced US for evaluation of the severity of portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis. The present article reviews the recent progress in contrast-enhanced US for the assessment of portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuou-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan

    Hitoshi Maruyama & Osamu Yokosuka

  2. Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), Mansoura, Egypt

    Gamal Shiha

  3. Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ganga Ram Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (GRIPMER), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, 110 060, India

    Ashish Kumar

  4. Department of Gastroenterology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Barjesh Chander Sharma

  5. GI/Liver division, GIT Endoscopy Unit, University of Benha, Banha, Egypt

    Alaa Ibrahim

  6. Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, 226014, India

    Vivek Saraswat

  7. Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary Division, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, University of Indonesia, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

    Cosmas Rinaldi A. Lesmana

  8. Yamanashi Hospitals (Central and Kita) Organization, 1-1-1 Fujimi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi, 400-8506, Japan

    Masao Omata

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  1. Hitoshi Maruyama
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  2. Gamal Shiha
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Correspondence to Hitoshi Maruyama.

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Maruyama, H., Shiha, G., Yokosuka, O. et al. Non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Hepatol Int 10, 267–276 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-015-9670-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-015-9670-9

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