Reliable measurements were defined as: median value of 10 (TE, ARFI) LS measurements with a success rate≥60% and an interquartile range interval<30%, values expressed in kPa (TE) or m/s (ARFI). Reliable LS measurements by means of SSI were definied PD-332991 as the median value of 5 LS measurements expressed in kPa. Results: The etiology of liver disease was: chronic hepatitis C – 99 patients (57.6%), chronic hepatitis B – 67 patients (38.9%), coinfection (B+C virus or B+D virus) – 6 patients (3.5%). Reliable LS measurements were obtained in a significantly higher percentage of patients by means of ARFI elastography as compared with TE and SSI:

92.5% vs. 79.1%, (p=0.0007) and 92.5% vs.81.9%, (p<0.0001), respectively. The rate of reliable LS measurements was similar for TE and SSI: 79.1% vs. 81.9%, (p=0.60). Conclusion: The most feasible shear-waves ultrasound elastographic method for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis patients was ARFI. Key Word(s): 1. liver fibrosis; 2. liver stiffness; 3. elastography; 4. shear wave; Presenting Author: IOAN SPOREA Additional

Authors: OANA GRADINARU-TASCAU, SIMONA BOTA, ANA JURCHIS, ALINA POPESCU, MADALINA POPESCU, ROXANA SIRLI, MILANA SZILASKI Corresponding Author: IOAN SPOREA Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,”Victor Alisertib nmr Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania Objective: To identify if experience plays a role in the liver stiffness (LS) measurements by means of SSI. Methods: The study included 371 consecutive subjects with or without hepatopathies, in which LS was MG-132 datasheet evaluated with an AixplorerTM ultrasound system (SuperSonic Imagine S. A., Aix-en-Provence, France). Reliable LS measurements by means of SSI were definied as the median value of 5 LS measurements expressed in kilopascals (kPa). The SSI measurements were performed by a novice (with less than 300 abdominal ultrasounds performed) or by a more experienced

operator (with approximately 500 ultrasounds performed). Results: The study group included 371 consecutive subjects, 42% men and 58% women, with a median age of 48 years (ranging between 17-85 years). The novice performed 57.4% and the more experiecend operator 42.6% of the SSI measurements. The more experienced operator had a higher rate of reliable examinations compared with the novice : 87.4% vs. 72.8% (p =0.001). The rate of reliable measurements was similar for novice and experienced operator in patients with a normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and in overweight patients (BMI between 25.1 – 29.9 kg/m2), 92.3% vs. 97.5%, p=0.24, respectively 71.1% vs 80.4%, p=0.39. For obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) the rate of reliable LS measurements was significantly higher for the more experienced operatos as compared with the novice: 73.4% vs 45.9%, p=0.