Doppler ultrasonography: a non-invasive method used to diagnose and follow up patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between the findings of Doppler ultrasonography and transient elastography using FibroScan and to determine the cut-off points, sensitivity, and specificity of resistance indices, and pulsatility of the hepatic vessels to predict significant hepatic fibrosis. Methods: This is a transversal, observational, and analytical study that includes 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were admitted at a public referral hospital. Transient elastography and ultrasonographic data were collected, and the linear association between these methods was evaluated using the Pearson test. Various Doppler velocimetric indices were compared according to the presence/absence of significant (≥ F2) fibrosis. Results: There was a moderate-strong linear association between the FibroScan data and the Doppler velocimetric indices and splenic index in the hepatic vessels; the mean values of the indices differed between groups with absent/mild (F0/F1) and significant (≥ F2) hepatic fibrosis. There was an association between the monophasic and biphasic wave pattern of the suprahepatic veins and the stratification of hepatic fibrosis estimated by the values of kilopascal in FibroScan. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive method used to evaluate liver fibrosis, and it presents acceptable sensitivity/specificity for the prediction of fibrosis ≥ F2 in patients with chronic hepatitis C.