Evaluation of phantom elasticity estimates with Fibroscan

Abstract

Nowadays vibration-controlled transient elastography is clinically validated quantitative elastography technique and device, Fibroscan® (Echosens, France), has emerged as the reference tool for liver stiffness measurement. There has been stressed the need for the further development of elastography phantoms to ensure the performance of new elastography diagnostic approaches. In this presentation we are aiming to obtain in-house experience ensuring the performance of Fibroscan elastography using elasticity phantom. We evaluated Fibroscan Model 402 with its M-probe working on 3.5MHz ultrasound frequency. We proposed mechanical fixation stage and evaluated elasticity phantom in dependence of application force and angle. Elasticity of used CIRS Model 040 phantom was 25 kPa +/- 5 kPa. Our obtained elasticity estimates are in the range 17-21kPa with maximal standard deviation +/- 1.5 kPa. We concluded our trial study showing that elasticity phantom could facilitate in-house experience ensuring the clinical performance of Fibroscan elastography.