Ultrafast quantitative ultrasound and shear wave elastography imaging of in vivo duck fatty livers

Abstract

Multi-parametric ultrasound imaging is a promising tool for quantification of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In this work, a protocol of plane wave quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and shear wave elastography imaging (SWEI), quasi-simultaneously acquired, dedicated to quantification of liver steatosis on in vivo fatty duck liver is presented. Shear wave velocity was estimated to classify stiffness in duck liver tissue. QUS consisted of local attenuation coefficient slope estimated with Spectral Log Difference method, and coherent-to-diffuse signal ratio computed from homodyned-K parametric maps. After 9 days of feeding, US attenuation reached a maximum and coherent-todiffuse signal ratio reached a minimum. Coupled together, QUS and SWEI promise a strong potential in steatosis monitoring of fatty liver tissue, in ducks or humans.