Influence of Food Intake on 2-D Shear Wave Elastography Assessment of Liver Stiffness in Healthy Subjects

Transient elastography and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse imaging are useful non-invasive methods for liver stiffness estimation, although both are influenced by food intake. The aim of the work described here was to identify liver stiffness variation after a standardized meal using 2-D shear wave elastography. Liver stiffness was estimated in 31 apparently healthy subjects, under fasting conditions and after a standardized meal (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min after food intake). In most of the cases, liver stiffness values increased between 20 and 40 min after the meal (p < 0.05) and then significantly decreased between 60 and 80 min (p < 0.05). At 120 min after food intake, liver stiffness values were significantly lower compared with liver stiffness values under fasting conditions (p < 0.05). Gender, but not body mass index, had an important role in liver stiffness variation after food intake (p < 0.01). In conclusion, to avoid the influence of food intake on liver stiffness estimation, 2-D shear wave elastography should be performed only under fasting conditions.