Appropriate use of virtual touch quantification and FibroScan M and XL probes according to the skin capsular distance.

Background: Appropriate utilization of different diagnostic modalities is essential for the accurate liver stiffness measurements (LSM) in patients with chronic liver diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Virtual Touch Quantification (VTQ) and the FibroScan M and XL probes in term of accurate LSM and to identify factors associated with inadequate measurements in obese and non-obese Japanese patients.

Methods: A total of 664 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease were prospectively enrolled. LSM were evaluated concurrently with VTQ and the FibroScan M and XL probes. LSM quality was categorized as inadequate (success rate <60% and/or interquartile range/median value of ≥30%) or adequate.

Results: No significant differences in the rate of inadequate LSM were observed among the three diagnostic modalities. In multivariate analysis, skin capsule distance (SCD) was strongly associated with inadequate rates obtained with VTQ and the M probe [odds ratio (OR) 1.28, P < 0.0001 and OR 1.20, P < 0.0001, respectively]. Inadequate LSM rates with both VTQ and the M probe increased with longer SCD, with a significant difference between subgroups at an SCD of ≥22.5 mm (VTQ 54.0%; M probe 51.1%; XL probe 25.2%; P < 0.0001). The rates of inadequate LSM rates with VTQ were significantly lower than those with the XL probe at an SCD of <17.5 mm. A total of 15 liver biopsy specimens obtained from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients confirmed the diagnostic accuracy and high applicability of the XL probe.

Conclusions: Long SCD reduced the diagnostic performance of the FibroScan® M probe and VTQ. LSM modalities should be selected according to SCD.