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We aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of new 2-D shear-wave elastography (SWE) with propagation maps and attenuation imaging (ATI) for quantification of fibrosis and steatosis in non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Consecutive patients with NAFLD and healthy volunteers underwent liver stiffness measurement and steatosis quantification by means of vibration- controlled transient elastography coupled with the controlled attenuation parameter as the reference and by 2-D shear-wave elastography (2-D-SWE) with propagation maps and ATI as the investigational methods. We included 232 participants (164 in the NAFLD group and 68 in the healthy control group): 51.7%/49.3% women/men ; mean age, 54.2 +/- 15.2 y ; mean body mass index, 29.4 +/- 6.5 kg/m(2). Significant correlations were found between 2-D- SWE and vibration-controlled transient elastography (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001) and between ATI and the controlled attenuation parameter (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). NAFLD-specific 2-D-SWE liver stiffness measurement cutoffs were as follows-F >= 2: 7.9 kPa (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.91) ; F >= 3: 10 kPa (AUC = 0.92) ; and F = 4: 11.4 kPa (AUC = 0.95). For steatosis, the best cutoffs by ATI were as follows-S1 = 0.73 dB/cm/MHz (AUC = 0.86) ; S2 = 0.76 dB/cm/MHz (AUC = 0.86) ; and S3 = 0.80 dB/cm/MHz (AUC = 0.83). According to Baveno VI criteria, the optimal 2-D-SWE liver stiffness measurement for diagnosing liver cirrhosis is 15.5 kPa (AUC = 0.94), and for ruling out compensated advanced chronic liver disease it is 9.2 kPa (AUC = 0.92). To conclude, 2-D-SWE with propagation maps and ATI is reliable for quantification of liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with NAFLD.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of two new ultrasound-based techniques (ShearWave PLUS elastography [2-D-SWE PLUS], SSp PLUS Imaging [SSp PLUS]) implemented on the Aixplorer Mach 30 ultrasound system (Supersonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) for the non-invasive assessment of liver steatosis and fibrosis, using transient elastography (TE) with the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) as reference. This monocentric cross-sectional study included 133 consecutive adult patients with chronic hepatopathies. Liver stiffness and steatosis were evaluated in the same session using the techniques mentioned above. An excellent correlation was observed between liver stiffness measurements obtained with 2-D-SWE PLUS and TE (r = 0.92, p0.0001). The best cutoff value of 2-D-SWE PLUS for predicting F≥2 was 6.8 kPa; for F≥3, 8.4 kPa; and for F4, 11 kPa. With respect to steatosis evaluation, a strong negative correlation between CAP and SSp PLUS values (r = -0.70, p0.0001) was obtained. The best SSp PLUS cutoff value for predicting steatosis was 1537 m/s.

The number of NAFLD patients is increasing in the developed world and non-invasive modalities for their evaluation are needed. Ultrasound-based methods are very useful for this approach, starting with standard ultrasound used for steatosis detection, and continuing with new modalities for steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation quantification. Modern ultrasound systems can quantify all these parameters in NAFLD patients, thus making ultrasound a real Multiparameter Ultrasound (MPUS). The performance of ultrasound-based methods is very well documented with liver stiffness assessment as a marker of fibrosis, and more recently, for quantification of steatosis and viscoelastic properties as a marker of inflammation.

The number of diabetes mellitus patients has increased over the last few years in developing countries, along with obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Besides macroangiopathy and microangiopathy, damage to the nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system is the most common chronic complication of diabetes. Digestive complications in diabetic patients represent a consequence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy involving the gastrointestinal tract, but unfortunately not always evaluated by diabetologists. Aside from the complications encountered in the digestive tract, patients with diabetes mellitus are prone to developing liver diseases. This review will describe the prevalence of these complications, the modality of diagnosis, and therapeutical solutions in order to reduce the risk of progression of these complications in diabetic subjects.

Elastography is a useful noninvasive tool for the assessment of renal transplant recipients. 2D-shear wave elastography (SWE) PLUS and viscosity plane-wave ultrasound (Vi PLUS) have emerged as novel techniques that promise to offer improved renal stiffness and viscosity measures due to improved processing algorithms. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 50 kidney transplanted patients (16 women, 34 men; mean age of 47.5 ± 12.5; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) estimated by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula: 52.19 ± 22.6 mL/min/1.73 m2; and a mean duration after transplant of 10.09 ± 5 years). For every patient, we obtained five valid measurements of renal stiffness (obtained from five different frames in the cortex of the renal graft), and also tissue viscosity, with a C6-1X convex transducer using the Ultra-Fast™ software available on the Aixplorer Mach 30 ultrasound system (Supersonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France). The median values of elastographic and viscosity measures have been correlated with the patients’ demographic, biological, and clinical parameters. Results: We obtained a cut-off value of renal cortical stiffness of

Tudor Parvanescu,1 Andrei Vitel,1 Ioan Sporea,2 Ruxandra Mare,2 Bogdan Buz,1 Diana Aurora Bordejevic,1 Mirela Cleopatra Tomescu,1 Sergiu Florin Arnautu,3 Vlad Ioan Morariu,1 Ioana Mihaela Citu1 1Cardiology Department, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 3Department of Neurology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, RomaniaCorrespondence: Diana Aurora BordejevicCardiology Department, Victor Babe” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, Timisoara, RomaniaTel +40 734600550Fax +40 256220636Email aurora.bordejevic@umft.roBogdan BuzCardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, Timisoara, RomaniaTel +40 756346910Email buzbogdan93@gmail.comPurpose: The constitutive elements of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are linked with both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE), are able to detect and quantify NAFLD, while conventional and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is capable to identify subclinical changes in cardiac function. We wanted to evaluate whether there is any correspondence between left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and different degrees of liver steatosis and fibrosis in MetS subjects with NAFLD.Patients and Methods: A total of 150 adult subjects having MetS and a normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function were recorded in the study, while 150 age- and sex- matched adults without MetS were enrolled as controls. NAFLD was established by VCTE and CAP. The left heart systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by conventional and 2D-ST echocardiography. Left atrial (LA) stiffness was calculated as the ratio between the E/A ratio and the LA reservoir-strain.Results: In univariate regression analysis, the variables associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in MetS patients were: liver steatosis grade ≥ 2, liver fibrosis grade ≥ 2, the longitudinal LA peak strain during the reservoir phase, the LA strain rate during ventricular contraction and the LA stiffness. In multivariate logistic regression, two variables were selected as independent predictors of LV diastolic dysfunction, namely the liver stiffness (P=0.0003) and the LA stiffness (P< 0.0001). LA stiffness predicted subclinical LV diastolic dysfunction in MetS patients with a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 96% when using a cut-off value > 0.38, and was significantly correlated with liver steatosis stage ≥ 2 and liver fibrosis stage ≥ 2.Conclusion: The present study confirms the association between liver stiffness, LA stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction in MetS patients. Our study suggests that liver elastography and 2D-STE should become habitual assessments in MetS patients.Keywords: metabolic syndrome, strain and strain‑rate imaging, left atrial stiffness, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, liver elastography, liver steatosis and fibrosis

The study aimed to establish the benefits of using spleen stiffness values measured by two elastography techniques as noninvasive markers for predicting varices needing treatment and comparing their performances. A prospective study was performed, including 107 subjects with compensated liver cirrhosis, who underwent upper digestive endoscopy, as well as spleen stiffness measurements by means of two elastography techniques: pSWE (point shear wave elastography using Virtual Touch Quantification-Siemens Acuson S2000) and 2D-SWE (2D-shear wave elastography-LOGIQ E9, General Electric). Reliable spleen stiffness measurements were obtained in 96.2% (103/107) patients by means of 2D-SWE and in 94.4% (101/107) subjects with pSWE; therefore, 98 subjects were included in the final analysis, of which 40.8% (40/98) had varices needing treatment. The optimal spleen stiffness cut-off value by 2D-SWE for predicting varices needing treatment was 13.2 kPa (AUROC 0.84), while for pSWE, it was 2.91 m/s (AUROC 0.90). Based on AUROC comparison, no difference between the performance of the two techniques for predicting varices needing treatment was found ( p = 0.1606 ). In conclusion, spleen stiffness measured by either 2D-SWE or pSWE is a reliable surrogate marker, with good feasibility, applicability, and predictive accuracy for varices needing treatment, with no significant difference between techniques.

The aim was to evaluate the performance of 2-dimensional (2D) shear-wave elastography from general electric (2D SWE-GE), implemented on the new LOGIQ S8 system, for the noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis, and to identify liver stiffness (LS) cutoff values for predicting different stages of fibrosis using transient elastography (TE) as the control method. We included 179 consecutive subjects, with or without chronic hepatopathies, in whom LS was evaluated in the same session using 2 elastographic techniques: TE (FibroScan, EchoSens) and 2D SWE-GE (LOGIQ S8; GE Healthcare, Chalfont St Giles, United Kingdom). Reliable LS measurements were defined for TE: the median value of 10 measurements with a success rate of 60% or greater and an interquartile range/median ratio (IQR/M) < 0.30; for 2D SWE-GE: the median value of 10 measurements acquired in a homogenous area and IQR/M < 0.30. To discriminate between fibrosis stages by TE, we used the following cutoffs: F2-7; F3-9.5 and F4-12 kPa. Reliable LS measurements were obtained in 97.2% subjects by 2D SWE-GE and in 98.3% by TE (P = 0.72), so that 171 subjects were included for the final analysis. A good correlation was found between the LS values obtained by the 2 methods (r = 0.72, P < 0.0001). The best 2D SWE-GE cutoff value for F ≥ 2 was 6.9 kPa (areas under receiver operating characteristic [AUROC], 0.93; sensitivity, 85.8%; specificity, 90.2%), for F of 3 or greater, it was 8.2 kPa (AUROC, 0.93; sensitivity, 87.5%; specificity, 86.8%) and for F value of 4, it was 9.3 kPa (AUROC, 0.91; sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 81.2%). In conclusion, the best 2D SWE-GE (S8) cutoff values for predicting F2, F ≥ 3 and F = 4 were 6.9, 8.2, and 9.3 kPa.

Andrei Vitel,1,* Ioan Sporea,2 Ruxandra Mare,2 Christian Banciu,2 Diana-Aurora Bordejevic,1,* Tudor Parvanescu,1 Ioana Mihaela Citu,1 Mirela Cleopatra Tomescu1 1Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Gastroenterology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ioana Mihaela CituCardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 nd Eftimie Murgu Square, Timisoara, RomaniaTel +40 724353666Fax +40 256220636Email ioanamihaela2010@gmail.comPurpose: The components of metabolic syndrome (MS) are risk factors for developing both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Strain (SI) and strain‑rate imaging (SRI) are able to recognize early changes in cardiac function. Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) detect and quantify liver fibrosis and steatosis. We aimed to assess whether there is any correlation between liver fibrosis and steatosis and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in MS patients.Patients and Methods: A total of 150 adults with MS were registered in the study. They were compared with a control group of 150 age- and sex-matched adults without MS. After the classic echocardiographic assessment of LV function, two-dimensional speckle echocardiography (2D-STE) was used to evaluate LV peak systolic strain (S) and peak systolic strain rate (SR), while liver steatosis and fibrosis were evaluated by VCTE and CAP.Results: LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly more frequent among the patients with MS. We found significant differences between the two groups regarding the presence of subtle LV systolic dysfunction, detected by reduced values of S and SR. The risk for LV diastolic dysfunction was 3.6 times higher in MS with severe steatosis and 8 times higher in patients with severe fibrosis, P< 0.0001. The risk for LV systolic dysfunction was double in MS with severe steatosis and 1.7 times higher in MS with severe fibrosis, P< 0.0001.Conclusion: In MS patients with normal LV ejection fraction, conventional echocardiography parameters identified diastolic LV dysfunction, while SI and SRI identified subtle impairment of systolic LV dysfunction. The presence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis increases significantly the risk for cardiac dysfunction in MS patients (P< 0.0001).Keywords: metabolic syndrome, left ventricular function, strain and strain‑rate imaging, liver steatosis and fibrosis, liver elastography

The present, updated document describes the fourth iteration of recommendations for the hepatic use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), first initiated in 2004 by the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). The previous updated editions of the guidelines reflected changes in the available contrast agents and updated the guidelines not only for hepatic but also for non-hepatic applications.The 2012 guideline requires updating as previously the differences of the contrast agents were not precisely described and the differences in contrast phases as well as handling were not clearly indicated. In addition, more evidence has been published for all contrast agents. The update also reflects the most recent developments in contrast agents, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as well as the extensive Asian experience, to produce a truly international perspective.These guidelines and recommendations provide general advice on the use of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) and are intended to create standard protocols for the use and administration of UCA in liver applications on an international basis to improve the management of patients.

Aim Current major guidelines recommend risk stratification of the thyroid nodules, after each diagnostic evaluation, in order to focus attention on potentially risky nodules. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of combined advanced ultrasound techniques in this process, compared with conventional stratification models, in order to reduce unnecessary fine-needle biopsies, respectively, surgery. Material and methods We evaluated 261 cases (261 nodules) using conventional ultrasound (2B), real-time Doppler evaluation (4D) respectively, real-time elastography, using a linear multifrequency probe and a linear volumetric probe (Hitachi Prerius Machine, Hitachi Inc, Japan). All the nodules were classified using a risk stratification model comprising seven conventional US characteristics, two 4 D characteristics and a color map RTE aspect. The results were compared with the pathology results, considered the golden standard diagnosis. Results The prevalence of malignant nodules was 21.83% (57 cases). Conventional risk classification generated: 106 low-risk cases, 113 intermediate-risk and 42 high-risk cases. Our proposed risk classification changes the conventional risk classification with a risk upgrade in 27 cases and with a risk downgrade in 69 cases. The diagnostic quality of the combined risk stratification model was better, considering a low-risk category predictive for benignancy and a high category predictive for malignancy: Sensitivity: 80.88% versus 49.01%, respectively, Specificity: 91.22% versus 54.38. The diagnostic power differences were observed regardless of the nodule size. Conclusion Advanced ultrasound techniques did add diagnostic value in the presurgical risk assessment of the thyroid nodules.

Liver cirrhosis, regardless of its etiology, is an important health problem with a chronic evolution, characterized by the possibility of developing several important complications. The best management of these patients implies the correct and early diagnosis of the disease and of its complications. A major complication of cirrhosis is portal hypertension. The reference method for its diagnosis is the direct measurement of hepatic vein portal gradient, an invasive procedure. In the last years, several noninvasive techniques for the evaluation of liver fibrosis were developed, such as biological tests and elastographic methods. Ultrasound-based and MRI-based elastographic techniques have been assessed as predictive tools for the presence and severity of portal hypertension. This paper reviews published data regarding the value of ultrasound and MRI-based elastography (liver, spleen, or both) for the evaluation of portal hypertension.

Ruxandra Mare,1,2 Ioan Sporea,1,2 Mirela Tomescu,3 Gheorghe Nicușor Pop,3 Andrei Vitel,3 Alina Popescu,1,2 Silviu Nistorescu,1 Roxana Sirli1,2 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Advanced Research Center in Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Regional Center of Research in Advanced Hepatology, Academy of Medical Science, Timisoara, Romania; 3Department VI of Cardiology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, RomaniaCorrespondence: Roxana Sirli, Department of Internal Medicine II, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Advanced Research Center in Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania, Tel +40723537039, Fax +40723537039, Email roxanasirli@gmail.comIntroduction: Many of the patients presenting with metabolic syndrome (MetS) also have liver steatosis (NAFLD) and some of them could develop liver fibrosis.Purpose: To develop a simple score that could rule out fibrosis, especially significant fibrosis (F≥ 2) and could be used in daily practice in patients with MetS, in order to identify patients at risk.Patients and Methods: A total of 204 patients with MetS were prospectively enrolled. Evaluation of liver fibrosis was made using Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography while evaluation of steatosis was achieved using ultrasound (US).Results: Out of 204 patients with MetS, 179 patients (87.7%) had reliable liver stiffness measurements and 22.9% (41/179) had F ≥ 2. To formulate the fibrosis predicting score, all clinical variables associated with F ≥ 2 in the univariate analysis were considered in a multivariate regression model. According to the power of correlation, by consensus, we attributed 1 point for BMI > 31.4 kg/m2, 1 point for female gender, 1 point for HDLc < 47mg/dL, 1 point for mild steatosis at US, 1.5 point for moderate and 2 points for severe steatosis.Conclusion: At an optimal cut-off value of < 3.5, our score could be used to rule-out the risk for developing at least significant fibrosis with a high negative predictive value (NPV 89.2%) in patients with MetS.Keywords: metabolic syndrome, liver steatosis, liver fibrosis, liver elastography

Background and Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition present in daily practice with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. In this line, respiratory conditions may be associated with GERD. The Romanian Societies of Gastroenterology and Neurogastroenterology, in association with the Romanian Society of Pneumology, aimed to create a guideline regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions associated with GERD.Methods: Delphi methodology was used and eleven common working groups of experts were created. The experts reviewed the literature according to GRADE criteria and formulated 34 statements and recommendations. Consensus (>80% agreement) was reached for some of the statements after all participants voted.Results: All the statements and the literature review are presented in the paper, together with their correspondent grade of evidence and the voting results. Based on >80% voting agreement, a number of 22 recommendations were postulated regarding the diagnosis and treatment of GERD-induced respiratory symptoms. The experts considered that GERD may cause bronchial asthma and chronic cough in an important number of patients through micro-aspiration and vagal-mediated tracheobronchial reflex. GERD should be suspected in patients with asthma with suboptimal controlled or after exclusion of other causes, also in nocturnal refractory cough which needs gastroenterological investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Therapeutic test with double dose proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for 3 months is also useful. GERD induced respiratory conditions are difficult to treat; however,proton pump inhibitors and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are endorsed for therapy.Conclusions: This guideline could be useful for the multidisciplinary management of GERD with respiratory symptoms in current practice.

Background: Multiparametric ultrasound (MPUS) is a concept whereby the examiner is encouraged to use the latest features of an ultrasound machine. The aim of this study was to reanalyze inconclusive focal liver lesions (FLLs) that had been analyzed via contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using the MPUS approach with the help of a tree-based decision classifier. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed FLLs that were inconclusive upon CEUS examination in our department, focusing our attention on samples taken over a period of two years (2017−2018). MPUS reanalysis followed a three-step algorithm, taking into account the liver stiffness measurement (LSM), time–intensity curve analysis (TIC), and parametric imaging (PI). After processing all steps of the algorithm, a binary decision tree classifier (BDTC) was used to achieve a software-assisted decision. Results: Area was the only TIC-CEUS parameter that showed a significant difference between malign and benign lesions with a cutoff of >−19.3 dB for washout phenomena (AUROC = 0.58, Se = 74.0%, Sp = 45.7%). Using the binary decision tree classifier (BDTC) algorithm, we correctly classified 71 out of 91 lesions according to their malignant or benignant status, with an accuracy of 78.0% (sensitivity = 62%, specificity = 45%, and precision = 80%). Conclusions: By reevaluating inconclusive FLLs that had been analyzed via CEUS using MPUS, we managed to determine that 78% of the lesions were malignant and, in 28% of them, we established the lesion type.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a typical medical emergency, with an incidence of 84 to 160 cases per 100,000 individuals and a mortality rate of approximately 10%. This study aimed to identify all cases of UGIB hospitalized in a tertiary gastroenterology department, to identify possible predictive factors involved in rebleeding and mortality, potential associations between different elements and the severity of bleeding, and the differences between the upper digestive hemorrhage due to nonvariceal and variceal bleeding. This was an observational, retrospective study of patients with UGIB admitted to the tertiary Department of Gastroenterology between January 2013 and December 2020. A total of 1499 patients were enrolled in the study. One thousand four hundred and ninety-nine patients were hospitalized for 7 years with active upper digestive hemorrhage, 504 variceal bleeding, and 995 nonvariceal bleeding. When comparing variceal with nonvariceal bleeding, in nonvariceal bleeding, the mean age was higher, similar sex, higher mortality rate, higher rebleeding rate, and higher hemorrhagic shock rate. Endoscopy treatment was also performed more frequently in variceal bleeding than in nonvariceal bleeding. Severe anemia was found more frequently in patients with variceal bleeding. The mortality rate was 10% in the entire study group, which was not significantly different between the 2 batches. However, the rebleeding rate is higher in patients with variceal gastrointestinal bleeding.

This manuscript describes the use of ultrasound elastography, with the exception of liver applications, and represents an update of the 2013 EFSUMB (European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology) Guidelines and Recommendations on the clinical use of elastography.Diese Arbeit beschreibt den Einsatz der Ultraschall-Elastografie mit Ausnahme der Leberanwendungen und ist eine Aktualisierung der Leitlinien und Empfehlungen der EFSUMB (European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology) von 2013 zum klinischen Einsatz der Elastografie.

This study aimed to analyze the utility of bidimensional shear-wave elastography for renal assessment and in the prediction of chronic kidney disease (CKD).The study included 92 subjects: 50 healthy volunteers and 42 patients with different degrees of CKD (mean age, 57.5 ± 13.4; 50% were female), excluding those undergoing renal replacement therapies, obstructive pathology, or renal lithiasis. We performed kidney shear-wave velocity (KSWV) determinations in the midportion of the parenchyma of each kidney. The median values were expressed in meters per second.We obtained successful assessments in 94% of the cases for the right kidney (RK) and 90.2% for the left kidney (LK), with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.96 (RK) and 0.91 (LK). We obtained significantly lower KSWV values in the CKD lot as opposed to the healthy volunteers: RK: 1.38 ± 0.1 versus 1.78 ± 0.1 m/s, P = 0.05; LK: 1.37 ± 0.1 m/s versus 1.72 ± 0.1 m/s. We could predict the presence of CKD with a sensitivity of 89.2% and a specificity of 76.9% for a KSWV of less than 1.47 m/s, with a tendency of KSWV to decrease with CKD progression.Our study shows that KSWV measured using bidimensional shear-wave elastography decreases in patients with CKD compared with normal subjects, and that for a cutoff value of below 1.47 m/s we could predict, with a good sensitivity and specificity, the presence of CKD.

Aim: This study evaluated the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the differential diagnosis of benign vs. malignant focal liver lesions (FLL) in a real-life, multicenter experience. Methods: This prospective study, including 14 Romanian centers, was performed over a 6 year period (February 2011- April 2017) and included 2062 FLLs assessed by CEUS. Inclusion criteria were: newly diagnosed FLL on B-mode ultrasound, less than three lesions/patient, all FLLs evaluated by CEUS and by a second-line imaging technique (contrast enhanced CT or contrast enhanced MRI) or histology, considered as reference. The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier NCT01329458). Results: From the 2062 FLLs included in the study, 57.2% (1179) were malignant and 42.8% (883) were benign. CEUS had 83.9% sensitivity (Se), 97.8% specificity (Sp), 98.1% positive predictive value (PPV), 82.2% negative predictive value (NPV) and a diagnostic accuracy (Ac) of 89.9% for the positive diagnosis of malignant lesions. For the benign lesions, CEUS had 97.8% Se, 83.9% Sp, 82.2% PPV, 98.1% NPV 89.9% Ac. The diagnostic performance of CEUS for hepatocellular carcinoma was 76.6% Se, 98.4% Sp, and 91.2% Ac; for hemangioma: 89.2% Se, 99% Sp, and 96.9% Ac and for metastases: 90.9% Se, 98.4% Sp, and 96.9% Ac. Conclusions: CEUS proved a high accuracy in differentiating the malignant vs. benign character of a FLL. It can be confidently used as a first line imaging method in daily practice.

An interdisciplinary task force of European experts summarizes the value of gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS) in the management of acute appendicitis and diverticulitis. Based on an extensive literature review, clinical recommendations for these highly common diseases in visceral medicine are presented.In patients with acute appendicitis, preoperative sonography has been established as a routine procedure in most European countries for medical and legal reasons. Routine sonography in these patients may reduce the rate of unnecessary surgery by half. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound reach values above 90 % and are equivalent to CT and MRI. However, the high operator dependence may be a problem, for example in point-of-care ultrasound in emergency departments. Structured training programs, quality controls and standardized ultrasound reporting should be increasingly implemented.In the case of suspected acute diverticulitis, "ultrasound first" should also be a basic element in the approach to all patients. Sonography can confirm the diagnosis and allows early risk stratification. As treatment strategies have become less aggressive and more tailored to the stage of diverticulitis, accurate staging has become increasingly important. GIUS and CT have proven to have similar sensitivity and specificity. Especially in cases of uncomplicated diverticulitis, GIUS will be the one and only imaging procedure. CT may work as a backup and has particular advantages for diverticulitis located in the distal sigmoid, inflammation deep in the small pelvis and insufficient ultrasound scanning conditions. This step-up approach (ultrasound first and CT only in case of a negative or inconclusive ultrasound result) has proven to yield the best accuracy.Im Rahmen des EFSUMB-Leitlinienprojekts zum gastrointestinalen Ultraschall (GIUS) gibt eine interdisziplinäre Arbeitsgruppe von europäischen Experten einen Überblick zum Nutzen der Sonografie bei akuter Appendizitis und Divertikulitis. Basierend auf einer umfangreichen Literaturrecherche werden klinische Empfehlungen zu diesen häufigen Erkrankungen der Viszeral-Medizin vorgestellt.Bei Patienten mit akuter Appendizitis haben medizinische und juristische Erwägungen die präoperative Sonografie heute als Routineverfahren in den meisten europäischen Ländern fest etabliert. Die Sonografie kann hier die Rate unnötiger Operation halbieren. Sensitivität, Spezifität und Genauigkeit des Ultraschalls erreichen Werte von über 90 % und entsprechen CT oder MRT. Eine hohe Untersucherabhängigkeit kann jedoch problematisch sein, beispielsweise beim bettseitigen Ultraschall in der Notaufnahme oder Praxis. Strukturierte Trainingsprogramme, Qualitätskontrollen und ein standardisierter Befundbericht sollten deshalb Einzug in den klinischen Alltag finden. Auch beim Verdacht auf eine akute Divertikulitis sollte die „ultrasound first“-Strategie Anwendung finden.Die Sonografie kann die Diagnose einer Divertikulitis bestätigen und den Schweregrad abschätzen. Da heutige Therapiestrategien weniger aggressiv und mehr auf das Stadium der Divertikulitis zugeschnitten sind, ist eine genaue Einteilung des Schweregrads immer wichtiger geworden. GIUS und CT haben hier eine ähnliche Sensitivität und Spezifität. Gerade bei unkomplizierter Divertikulitis ist die Sonografie völlig ausreichend. Das CT kann als Backup dienen und hat Vorteile bei der Divertikulitis im distalen Sigma, bei einer Entzündung tief im kleinen Becken oder bei unzureichenden Untersuchungsbedingungen. Eine solche Stufendiagnostik (Ultraschall zuerst und CT nur im Falle eines negativen oder nicht eindeutigen Befundes) hat bei der Divertikulitis die höchste Genauigkeit bewiesen.

(1) Background: Patients suffering from the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease could experience several extra-pulmonary involvements, including cardiovascular complications and liver injury. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cardiac and liver alterations in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and liver elastography (LE). (2) Methods: A total of 97 subjects recovering from COVID-19, attending the hospital’s specialized outpatient clinic for persisting symptoms at 3 to 11 weeks after the acute illness, were included in this study. They all had a basal COVID-19 assessment, and subsequently, a clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, TTE, and LE. (3) Results: considering the presence of pulmonary injury during COVID-19, patients were divided into two groups. Although none of them had altered systolic function, we evidenced pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, increased liver stiffness, viscosity, and steatosis in around one-third of the patients, with significantly higher values in subjects with pulmonary injury compared to those without. (4) Conclusion: persisting symptoms characterizing the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome could be explained by residual cardiac and hepatic lesions, which were worse in more severe COVID-19 forms. These patients may be at risk of developing liver fibrosis and cardiac alterations and should be investigated in the first 12 weeks after the onset of the infection.

Aim : Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has become a relevant imaging method for the evaluation of focal liver le- sions (FLL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of CEUS for the assessment of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in a large study group. Material and methods : We performed a multicentre prospective observational study, which included successive CEUS examinations from fourteen Romanian centres. CEUS examinations were performed in de novo FLL, using low mechanical index ultrasound, following an intravenous bolus of 2.4 ml SonoVue. CEUS was considered conclusive for FNH if a typical pattern was present following contrast (rapid “spoke-wheel” enhancement during the arterial phase, hyperenhanced lesion during venous phase, hyper- or isoenhanced in the late phase). In all cases a reference method was available (contrast enhanced CT or MRI or biopsy). The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier NCT01329458). Results : During the 6 years study, 2062 “de novo” FLL were evaluated by CEUS. From this cohort, 94/2062 (4.5%) had a typical enhancing pattern for FNH as described in the EFSUMB guidelines. Contrast enhanced CT/MRI and biopsy diagnosed additional 15 FNH. From the 94 cases diagnosed as FNH by CEUS, in nine the final diagnosis was different (five of them adenomas). CEUS had 85% sensitivity, 99.5% specificity, 90.4% positive predictive value, 99.2% negative predictive value and 98.8% diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of FNH. Conclusions : CEUS is a sensitive and very specific method for the diagnosis of FNH.

Background and Aims: The nonpharmacological therapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is expanding rapidly. Practitioners and medical educators need to be aware of progress and changes in knowledge of this topic. The Romanian Society of Neurogastroenterology aimed to create guidelines based on best evidence on the use of nonpharmacological therapy in IBS. Methods: A group of experts was constituted. This was divided in eleven subgroups dedicated to eleven categories of nonpharmacological therapy. The subgroups searched the literature and formulated statements and recommendations. These were submitted to vote in order to obtain consensus. Results: The outcome of this activity is represented by the guidelines of the Romanian Society of Neurogastroenterology, presented in this paper. The recommendations are seen as complementary to the pharmacological therapy and are not intended to recommend avoiding pharmacological drugs. Conclusions: These guidelines were elaborated by a Delphi process and represent a useful tool for physicians managing patients with IBS.

Lille score at Day 7 (LM7) helps to predict the outcome of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH) undergoing corticotherapy. Several scores such as Maddrey’s discriminant function (MDF), MELD, ABIC, and GAHS are used for a 28-day mortality prognosis. Our study aimed to evaluate if the assessment of the Lille score at 4 days (LM4) is as useful as the Lille score at Day 7 (LM7) to predict response to corticosteroids and 28-day mortality and evaluate the utility of severity scores at admission for predicting the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH). A retrospective study was performed, and all consecutive patients with AH and MDF &gt, 32 without contraindications to corticosteroids were included. Prognostic scores were evaluated at admission, and 28-day mortality was assessed. Response to corticotherapy was assessed by LM4 and LM7. Results: A total of 55/103 patients with sAH (51.5%) had MDF &gt, 32 and received corticosteroids. There was no difference between the proportion of patients with a responder LM4 versus LM7 (27% vs. 36%, p = 0.31). The mean value for LM4 was 0.64 ± 0.3 versus 0.60 ± 0.3 for LM7 (p = 0.48). Precisely 90.3% of patients were correctly identified as responders or not by LM4 compared with LM7. The best model for predicting 28-day mortality was composed of MELD and LM4/LM7, with an accuracy of 0.90 for both combinations. Conclusion: LM4 could be used instead of LM7 for predicting response to corticosteroid therapy in patients with sAH and LC, as well as 28-day mortality. Using LM4, we could avoid prolonged use of this therapy and its complications.

Abdominal ultrasonography and intestinal ultrasonography are widely used as first diagnostic tools for investigating patients with abdominal symptoms, mainly for excluding organic diseases. However, gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS), as a real-time diagnostic imaging method, can also provide information on motility, flow, perfusion, peristalsis, and organ filling and emptying, with high temporal and spatial resolution. Thanks to its noninvasiveness and high repeatability, GIUS can investigate functional gastrointestinal processes and functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGID) by studying their behavior over time and their response to therapy and providing insight into their pathophysiologic mechanisms. The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has established a Task Force Group consisting of GIUS experts, which developed clinical recommendations and guidelines on the role of GIUS in several acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. This review is dedicated to the role of GIUS in assisting the diagnosis of FGID and particularly in investigating patients with symptoms of functional disorders, such as dysphagia, reflux disorders, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. The available scientific evidence of GIUS in detecting, assessing, and investigating FGID are reported here, while highlighting sonographic findings and its usefulness in a clinical setting, defining the actual and potential role of GIUS in the management of patients, and providing information regarding future applications and research.

Aims: We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of two 2D-Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE) techniques for the non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection using Transient Elas- tography (TE) as reference. Material and methods: We enrolled 208 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection, in which liver stiffness (LS) was evaluated in the same session using two 2D-SWE techniques: 2D-SWE.GE and 2D-SWE.SSI using TE as the method of reference. LS measurements were considered failures when no value was obtained after 10 attempts. Results: Valid LSMs were obtained in 95.6% (199/208) of cases by 2D-SWE.GE, 92.7% (193/208) of cases by 2D-SWE.SSI, and in 94.7% (197/208) of cases by TE (p>0.05). The mean LS values by 2D-SWE.GE were significantly lower than those obtained by 2D-SWE.SSI: 10.3±3.8 kPa vs. 15±10.4 kPa (p

Aim: The updated Baveno VI guidelines recommend that screening for high-risk varices (HRV) by esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) can be avoided in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) who have liver stiffness LSM150,000/L. The aims of this study were to validate extended Baveno VI criteria in patients with chronic liver disease and to establish cut-off values for our cohort. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 839 patients with liver cirrhosis evaluated by Transient Elastography (TE), biological tests, and upper endos-copy, all within one year. The Baveno VI criteria were validated on a sub-group of 728 patients (Cohort 1, randomly selected from the study sample) and tailored cut-off points were determined. The remaining 111 patients comprised the validating set (Cohort 2) for these specific cut-off values. Results: In Cohort 1, Baveno VI criteria had 86.2% accuracy. The calculated cut-offs to rule-in HRV were PLT35.3 kPa; while to rule-out HRV they were PLT >150.000/mm3 and LSM

Objectives: In this study, we aim to determine the elastographic characteristics of both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism using shear wave elastography. We also aim to evaluate the elastographic differences between them, as well as the differences between the parathyroid, thyroid, and muscle tissue, in order to better identify a cutoff value for the parathyroid tissue. Methods: In this prospective study, we examined a total of 68 patients with hyperparathyroidism, divided into two groups, one group consisted of 27 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and the other group consisted of 41 selected patients with confirmed secondary hyperparathyroidism. The elasticity index (EI) was determined in the parathyroid, thyroid, and muscle tissue. The determined values were compared to better identify the parathyroid tissue. Results: The median value of mean SWE values measured for parathyroid adenomas from primary hyperparathyroidism was 4.86 kPa. For secondary hyperparathyroidism, the median value of mean SWE was 6.96 KPa. The median (range) presurgical values for parathormone (PTH) and calcium were 762.80 pg/mL (190, 1243) and 9.40 mg/dL (8.825, 10.20), respectively. We identified significant elastographic differences between the two groups (p &lt, 0.001), which remained significant after adjusting elastographic measures to the nonparametric parameters, such as the parathormone value and vitamin D (p &lt, 0.001). The cutoff values found for parathyroid adenoma were 5.96 kPa and for parathyroid tissue 9.58 kPa. Conclusions: Shear wave elastography is a helpful tool for identifying the parathyroid tissue, in both cases of primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, as there are significant differences between the parathyroid, thyroid, and muscle tissue. We found a global cutoff value for the parathyroid tissue of 9.58 kPa, but we must keep in mind that there are significant elastographic differences between cutoffs for primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism.