Shear Wave Elastography
Shear Wave Elastography
Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging technology that provides information about the inherent elasticity of tissues by producing an acoustic radiofrequency force impulse, sometimes called an “acoustic wind,” which generates transversely-oriented shear waves that propagate through the surrounding tissue and provide biomechanical information about tissue quality. Although SWE has the potential to revolutionize bone and joint imaging, its clinical application has been hindered by technical and artifactual challenges.
What are the types of elastography?
There are two main types of elastography:
- Elastography ultrasound: Also called transient elastography (FibroScan®), this noninvasive test uses a handheld wand (transducer) and sound waves to produce an image of your organs. The ultrasound is painless and fast.
- MRE (magnetic resonance elastography): This test combines sound waves from an ultrasound with magnet and radio waves from an MRI to produce images of your organs. It doesn’t use any radiation. While an MRE is its own test, your provider may choose to combine the MRE with a full MRI.
What is shear wave elastography?
Shear wave elastography is a newer ultrasound technology used to check tissue stiffness. A transducer delivers high-intensity pulses that produce shear waves, which create a higher-quality image. While still in development, shear wave elastography is used in ultrasounds of the:
- Breast.
- Liver.
- Musculoskeletal system.
- Prostate.
- Thyroid nodule.
What is the purpose of elastography?
The most common reason for elastography is to check your liver for fibrosis, which happens in the early stages and may advance to late stage or cirrhosis of your liver. Your provider may order elastography if you have risk factors, signs or symptoms of cirrhosis.
Fibrosis can lower the amount of blood flow that goes through your liver, causing the blood to back up behind your liver over time. If left untreated, liver fibrosis can result in serious health problems like:
- Cirrhosis.
- Liver cancer.
- Liver failure.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Liver elastography can help healthcare providers make treatment recommendations for liver fibrosis. They can also use this test to monitor your liver’s response to treatment and predict liver disease complications like fatty buildup.