"Picturing Liver Disease with Shear Waves"

Chronic liver diseases that cause fibrosis or the build-up of scar tissue can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, the second leading gastrointestinal cause of death after colorectal cancer in the United States. Noninvasive monitoring of fibrosis progression could reduce the number of deaths and health care costs substantially. A new imaging technique, magnetic resonance elastography, developed by Mayo Clinic researchers, uses shear waves and newly developed algorithms to create a quantitative picture of the liver’s elasticity or level of stiffness. Using MRE, researchers can pinpoint areas of fibrosis and choose treatment options to limit its advancement. MRE may also help with understanding the interplay between the mechanical properties of tissue and the disease process.

For the full story, please go to: http://www.nibib.nih.gov/HealthEdu/eAdvances/28Aug08


[ResearchPort][TechPort]