Ultrasonographic classification of the surface irregularity of cirrhotic liver using a high-performance, high-frequency probe

Abstract

Purpose: We studied the surface irregularity of cirrhotic livers by ultrasonography (US) using a high-performance, high-frequency US probe. To determine the efficacy of US evaluation of cirrhotic liver, we examined the liver surface by US and compared the results with laparoscopic liver surface classification. Subjects and Methods: The participants in the study were patients with chronic liver disease who had undergone both abdominal US and laparoscopic inspection during the period from October 2003 to October 2004. For US, HDI-5000-sonoCT (ATL Co. Ltd.) with a high-frequency linear probe, L12-5 (5-12 MHz), was used. The liver surface was examined by US by measuring the depth from the line connecting the tops of two adjacent nodules on the liver surface. Laparoscopic classification of the liver surface was done according to a 7-stage classification system: (0) smooth, (1) slightly irregular, (2) moderately irregular, (3) highly irregular, (4) slightly tuberous, (5) moderately tuberous, and (6) hemispheric tuberous (bunch of grapes). Results: The correlation coefficient between US evaluation of the liver surface nodularity and laparoscopic classification was ρ=0.941 (P<0001) for the left lobe and ρ=0.943 (P<0001) for the right lobe (Spearman rank order correlation coefficient). Conclusions: US classification of the surface of the cirrhotic liver is possible using a high-performance, high-frequency probe. Furthermore, it is a useful way to non-invasively evaluate the stage of cirrhosis.