Can Accurate Shear Wave Velocities Be Obtained in Kidneys?

Abstract

Objectives There are conflicting results in the literature on the use of shear wave elastography of the kidney parenchyma to determine whether renal stiffness values are related to a disease process. This study was conducted to evaluate the raw data from 3 ultrasound systems and determine whether adequate displacement curves are obtained to accurately estimate shear wave speeds. Methods Shear wave elastography was performed on 5 healthy volunteers with 3 ultrasound systems. The raw data were collected and evaluated for the shear wave propagation quality to determine whether accurate estimates of renal shear wave speeds could be determined. Results Results from the 3 machines demonstrate that accurate shear wave displacement curves are not obtained with renal elastography on existing systems (as of June 2018). One vendor has recently released software that appears to acquire accurate shear wave displacements. Conclusions Elastographic studies performed on the kidney to date are likely to be inaccurate. A new algorithm that appears to acquire accurate shear wave displacements in the kidney has been developed. Additional studies are needed to confirm that the new algorithm provides accurate clinical results. This study demonstrates that although the system provides a shear wave speed, it is important to confirm the accuracy of that number by evaluating the raw data.

Using shear wave elastography to assess uterine tonicity after vaginal delivery

“…The kidney represents an apt example. Multiple articles have been published regarding the investigation of the normal and abnormal kidney by this technique, which resulted in conflicting results regarding its clinical usefulness and reproducibility 22 , 31 . Currently, some authors question if any of the literature on renal shear wave elastography is accurate 22 .…”

“…Multiple articles have been published regarding the investigation of the normal and abnormal kidney by this technique, which resulted in conflicting results regarding its clinical usefulness and reproducibility 22 , 31 . Currently, some authors question if any of the literature on renal shear wave elastography is accurate 22 . Unique shear wave generation pulsing technology with specific processing algorithms adapted to the kidney are being developed, and may be able to overcome the issue of SWS variability 22 .…”

“…Currently, some authors question if any of the literature on renal shear wave elastography is accurate 22 . Unique shear wave generation pulsing technology with specific processing algorithms adapted to the kidney are being developed, and may be able to overcome the issue of SWS variability 22 . Similar processes may be required with regard to the investigation of uterine elasticity.…”

“…Despite shear wave elastography being a widely used imaging technique in a range of medical fields, some limitations exist. Indeed, to obtain an accurate measurement of shear wave speed, there is a need for satisfactory displacement of tissue by the shear waves as well as an adequate signal‐to‐noise ratio 22 . These can be affected by a number of factors such as: limited penetration, reverberations, tissue architecture and anisotropy, motion artefacts, and pulsatile artefacts due to large blood vessels 23 , 24 .…”

How to perform shear wave elastography. Part II

“…A recent study [65] evaluating the raw data from renal SWE demonstrated that accurate SWS estimates could not be obtained from most vendors systems. The displacement curves were evaluated from several manufactures to determine if accurate shear wave speeds could be estimated in the kidney, both cortex and medulla.…”