Feasibility of liver stiffness measured using two-dimensional shear wave elastography in assessing preoperative liver function for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of liver stiffness (LS) measured using two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) in assessing preoperative liver function for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods A total of 143 patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC between August 2018 and December 2019 were enrolled prospectively. LS measurement, liver function tests including serum biochemical indicators, and indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test were performed preoperatively. Child-Pugh (CP) score, Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were calculated. ICG retention rate at 15 min (ICG R15) and ICG elimination rate constant (ICG K) were determined automatically. Fibrosis stage was determined based on pathological findings. The association between LS and serum biochemical indicators, liver function scores, and the ICG results were analyzed. Results Weak to moderate correlations were identified between LS and biochemical indicators of liver function (all p < 0.01). Weak correlation was identified between LS and CP score, and between LS and ALBI score (all p < 0.001). Moderate correlation was identified between LS and ICG R15 (Pearson r = 0.62, p < 0.001), and between LS and ICG K value (Pearson r = - 0.49, p < 0.001). The best cutoff of LS to discriminate a normal ICG R15 was 10.6 kPa, with area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity of 0.874, 0.900 and 0.724, respectively. Conclusions LS determined using 2D SWE could be a potential tool for the preoperative evaluation of liver function in patients with HCC.