Elastography of the Liver and Beyond

This volume explores the main applications of elastographic techniques in hepatological and gastroenterological diseases, and elaborates on the use of these diagnostic techniques in a broad range of clinical settings; in this regard, it provides a clear critical methodological approach to the correct indication, taking into account the existing diagnostic pathways, the actual diagnostic accuracy of elastographic techniques, and their impact on clinical practice in terms of correct positioning of the test in the diagnostic pathway and clinical outcomes improvement.

In the first chapters, which focus on the correct methodology for Diagnostic Accuracy Assessment of non -invasive techniques, the architecture of diagnostic research is discussed. In turn, the following sections describe a broad range of clinical applications in hepatology and gastroenterology. The closing section presents a number of case studies on practical issues, together with a critical discussion on how to promote the appropriate use of these technologies.

Given its scope, the book will be of interest to specialists, post-graduate medical students, and researchers in the fields of hepatology and gastroenterology.

Dr. Fraquelli is currently head of ultrasound/non-invasive techniques at the Gastroenterological Units of the Fondazione IRCCS Ca'  Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan. She has been an Adjunct Professor at the Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy of the University of Milan since 2001. She received her medical degree in 1989 from the University of Milan where she also completed her post-graduate education in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy. She received her Ph.D. in Gastroenterology from the same University. Dr. Fraquelli has a well-established clinical practice and extensive research expertise in ultrasound liver imaging, contrast agents and methods for the non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis, such as elastography. Her main scientific interests are: ultrasound and non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis, bowel ultrasound in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and other chronic intestinal diseases, and methodological aspects of diagnostic research. Dr. Fraquelli serves on the Editorial Board of the Cochrane HepatoBiliary Group in Denmark, of the Journal of Digestive and Liver Disease, and of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.