Two-Dimensional Us Elastography for focal lesions in liver phantoms: influencing factors for stiffness measurement of small lesions

Purpose: To determine accuracy and influencing factors of stiffness value of focal lesions in the phantoms using 2-D USE. Materials and methods: Using two customized phantoms with different elasticity (4 ± 1 kilopascal [kPa], mimicking normal liver; 15 ± 2 kPa, mimicking liver cirrhosis [LC]) which have 9 spherical hypoechoic inclusions with same elasticity (23 ± 3 kPa), different size (20 mm, 15 mm and 10 mm in a raw) and different depth (3 cm, 5 cm and 7 cm). Mean stiffness and standard deviation (SD) in ROI were acquired, and the shape of inclusion was also assessed with a qualitative 5-graded scoring system…