Main description:

This volume explores the main applications of elastographic techniques in hepatological and gastroenterological diseases, and elaborates on the use of these diagnostic techniques in a broad range of clinical settings; in this regard, it provides a clear critical methodological approach to the correct indication, taking into account the existing diagnostic pathways, the actual diagnostic accuracy of elastographic techniques, and their impact on clinical practice in terms of correct positioning of the test in the diagnostic pathway and clinical outcomes improvement.

In the first chapters, which focus on the correct methodology for Diagnostic Accuracy Assessment of non -invasive techniques, the architecture of diagnostic research is discussed. In turn, the following sections describe a broad range of clinical applications in hepatology and gastroenterology. The closing section presents a number of case studies on practical issues, together with a critical discussion on how to promote the appropriate use of these technologies.

Given its scope, the book will be of interest to specialists, post-graduate medical students, and researchers in the fields of hepatology and gastroenterology.

Contents:

Part-1: Introduction to Elastography. 1. Elastographic measures: a methodological approach2. Liver stiffness: thresholds of healthPart-2: Liver diseases. 3. The role of transient elastography for fibrosis staging in HCV-related chronic liver disease4. The role of elastography in HBV: assessing liver fibrosis5. The role of transient elastography in NAFLD6. Elastography in liver transplanted patients7. Elastography in Autoimmune Liver Diseases8. Transient elastography for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in people with alcohol-associated liver disease9. Elastography after treatment and during follow-up10. Elastography methods to assess chronic liver diseases: a critical comparison11. The assessment of portal hypertention12. Assessing disease severity and prognosisPart-3: Extrahepatic diseases Pancreas13. Pancreas: transabdominal ultrasound-based elastography14. Endoscopic ultrasound elastography in pancreatic diseasesPart-4: Extrahepatic diseases Bowel. 15. Application of elastography in patients with IBD. Stricturing Crohn's disease. Part-5: Spleen involvement in liver and non- liver diseases. 16. Liver and spleen stiffness in vascular liver diseases17. Liver and spleen stiffness in hematological diseases. Case Studies.