Imaging modalities for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis

SummaryNon-invasive methods for liver fibrosis diagnosis are now commonly used as first-intention tests for liver fibrosis diagnosis in chronic liver diseases. Even morphological parameters provided by ultrasound is now challenged by blood fibrosis tests and transient elastography, in experienced hands, it performed well and in certain situations, imaging can still be useful to detect patients with fibrosis. In parallel, to ultrasound and Doppler imaging, various methodologies have been explored. Some of them remain confined to clinical research for the moment, as perfusion, MR diffusion-weighted imaging, intravoxel incoherent motion or acoustic structure quantification; others have already taken a place in clinical practice. Regarding fast growing of new technology some methods may become available for daily practice in the near future. Ultrasound tools or automated quantification of different physical parameters of imaging data could provide an opportunity for early diagnosis of liver diseases; MRI techniques could lead to the development of a “global” liver examination.