Reappraising the role of thyroid scintigraphy in the era of TIRADS: A clinically-oriented viewpoint.

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are a common entity, with the majority being benign. Therefore, employing an accurate rule-out strategy in clinical practice is essential. In the thyroid field, the current era is significantly marked by the worldwide diffusion of ultrasound (US)-based malignancy risk stratification systems of TN, usually reported as Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data System (TIRADS). With the advent of US (and later TIRADS), the role of thyroid scintigraphy (TS) in clinical practice has gradually diminished. The authors of the present paper believe that the role of TS should be reappraised, also considering its essential role in detecting autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and its limited contribution to detecting thyroid cancers. Thus, this document aims to furnish endocrinologists, radiologists, surgeons, and nuclear medicine physicians with practical information to appropriately use TS.

Thyroid ultrasound and its ancillary techniques.

Ultrasound (US) of the thyroid has been used as a diagnostic tool since the late 1960s. US is the most important imaging tool for diagnosing thyroid disease. In the majority of cases a correct diagnosis can already be made in synopsis of the sonographic together with clinical findings and basal thyroid hormone parameters. However, the characterization of thyroid nodules by US remains challenging. The introduction of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADSs) has improved diagnostic accuracy of thyroid cancer significantly. Newer techniques such as elastography, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and multiparametric ultrasound (MPUS) expand diagnostic options and tools further. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising tool to improve and simplify diagnostics of thyroid nodules and there is evidence that AI can exceed the performance of humans. Combining different US techniques with the introduction of new software, the use of AI, FNB as well as molecular markers might pave the way for a completely new area of diagnostic accuracy in thyroid disease. Finally, interventional ultrasound using US-guided thermal ablation (TA) procedures are increasingly proposed as therapy options for benign as well as malignant thyroid diseases.

Glucocorticoid Replacement for Adrenal Insufficiency and the Development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Glucocorticoid excess is a known risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our objective was to analyse the impact of glucocorticoid replacement therapy on the development of NAFLD and NAFLD-related fibrosis and, therefore, on cardiovascular as well as hepatic morbidity in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Two hundred and fifteen individuals with primary (n = 111) or secondary (n = 104) adrenal insufficiency were investigated for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis using the fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD fibrosis score (NAFLD-FS), Fibrosis-4 Index (FiB-4) plus sonographic transient elastography. Results were correlated with glucocorticoid doses and cardiometabolic risk parameters. The median dose of hydrocortisone equivalent was 20 mg daily, with a median therapy duration of 15 years. The presence and grade of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were significantly correlated with cardiometabolic risk factors. We could not find any significant correlations between single, daily or cumulative doses of glucocorticoids and the grade of liver steatosis, nor with fibrosis measured via validated sonographic techniques. In patients with adrenal insufficiency, glucocorticoid replacement within a physiological range of 15-25 mg hydrocortisone equivalent per day does not appear to pose an additional risk for the development of NAFLD, subsequent liver fibrosis, or the cardiovascular morbidity associated with these conditions.

NTRK fusion events and targeted treatment of advanced radioiodine refractory thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: Pathogenic fusion events involving neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) have been described in ~ 2% of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The selective tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors entrectinib and larotrectinib have been approved in a tumor agnostic manner based on phase 1/2 clinical trials. In a real-world setting at five referral centers, we aimed to describe the prevalence of NTRK gene fusions and the efficacy and safety of TRK inhibitor treatment for non-medullary, advanced thyroid cancer (TC). METHODS: A total of 184 TC patients with testing for NTRK gene fusions were included. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method in six patients with NTRK fusion-positive TC who underwent TRK inhibitor therapy. RESULTS: 8/184 (4%) patients harbored NTRK gene fusions. Six patients with radioiodine (RAI)-refractory TC harboring NTRK1 (n = 4) and NTRK3 (n = 2) gene fusions were treated with larotrectinib. Five patients (83%) had received ≥ 1 prior systemic therapy and one patient did not receive prior systemic therapy. All patients had morphologically progressive disease before treatment initiation. Objective response rate was 83%, including two complete remissions. Median PFS from start of TRK inhibitor treatment was 23 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0-57.4) and median OS was not reached (NR) (95% CI, NR). Adverse events were of grade 1-3. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NTRK gene fusions in our cohort of RAI-refractory TC is slightly higher than reported for all TC patients. Larotrectinib is an effective treatment option in the majority of NTRK gene fusion-positive advanced TC patients after prior systemic treatment and has a favorable safety profile.

Outcome of immunotherapy in adrenocortical carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) have yielded contradictory results. We aimed to evaluate treatment response and safety of ICI in ACC in a real-life setting. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 54 patients with advanced ACC receiving ICI as compassionate use at 6 German reference centres between 2016 and 2022. METHODS: Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were assessed. RESULTS: In 52 patients surviving at least 4 weeks after initiation of ICI, ORR was 13.5% (6-26) and DCR was 24% (16-41). PFS was 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.3-3.7). In all patients, median OS was 10.4 months (3.8-17). 17 TRAE occurred in 15 patients, which was associated with a longer PFS of 5.5 (1.9-9.2) vs 2.5 (2.0-3.0) months (HR 0.29, 95% CI, 0.13-0.66, P = 0.001) and OS of 28.2 (9.5-46.8) vs 7.0 (4.1-10.2) months (HR 0.34, 95% CI, 0.12-0.93). Positive tissue staining for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) was associated with a longer PFS of 3.2 (2.6-3.8) vs 2.3 (1.6-3.0, P < 0.05) months. Adjusted for concomitant mitotane use, treatment with nivolumab was associated with lower risk of progression (HR 0.36, 0.15-0.90) and death (HR 0.20, 0.06-0.72) compared to pembrolizumab. CONCLUSIONS: In the real-life setting, we observe a response comparable to other second-line therapies and an acceptable safety profile in ACC patients receiving different ICI. The relevance of PD-L1 as a marker of response and the potentially more favourable outcome in nivolumab-treated patients require confirmation.

Survival According to Therapy Regimen for Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Scarce data exist for therapy regimens other than somatostatin analogues (SSA) and peptide receptor radiotherapy (PRRT) for siNET. We analyzed real world data for differences in survival according to therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis of 145 patients, diagnosed between 1993 and 2018 at a single institution, divided in treatment groups. Group (gr.) 0: no treatment (n = 10), gr 1: TACE and/or PRRT (n = 26), gr. 2: SSA (n = 32), gr. 3: SSA/PRRT (n = 8), gr. 4: chemotherapy (n = 8), gr. 5: not metastasized (at diagnosis), surgery only (n = 53), gr. 6 = metastasized (at diagnosis), surgery only (n = 10). RESULTS: 45.5% female, median age 60 years (range, 27-84). A total of 125/145 patients with a resection of the primary tumor. For all patients, 1-year OS (%) was 93.8 (95%-CI: 90-98), 3-year OS = 84.3 (CI: 78-90) and 5-year OS = 77.5 (CI: 70-85). For analysis of survival according to therapy, only stage IV patients (baseline) that received treatment were included. Compared with reference gr. 2 (SSA only), HR for OS was 1.49 (p = 0.47) for gr. 1, 0.72 (p = 0.69) for gr. 3, 2.34 (p = 0.19) for gr. 4. The 5 y OS rate of patients whose primary tumor was resected (n = 125) was 73.1%, and without PTR was 33.3% (HR: 4.31; p = 0.003). Individual patients are represented in swimmer plots. CONCLUSIONS: For stage IV patients in this analysis (limited by low patient numbers in co. 3/4), multimodal treatment did not significantly improve survival over SSA treatment alone. A resection of primary tumor significantly improves survival.

Diagnostic value of a liver biopsy in patients with an acute liver failure or acute liver injury.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic value of liver biopsy in patients with acute liver injury or acute liver failure (ALI/ALF) was investigated. METHODS: Data from the initial event and follow-up visits were retrospectively analyzed in all patients with a liver biopsy during ALI/ALF from January 2010 to May 2020 at the University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 66 patients. Post-biopsy hemorrhage occurred in 2 of 66 but was self-limited. In five patients suspected liver involvement by a systemic extrahepatic disease was confirmed and excluded in eight patients. In 4 of 66 patients, the etiology of ALI/ALF remained unknown. Liver biopsy hinted at the etiology of ALI/ALF in 2 of 6 patients with rare diagnoses (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: 2 of 66; ischemic liver injury: 1 of 66, ALI/ALF due to a systemic infection: 3 of 66). In 31 of 34 patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI), histopathology suggested DILI; in further 2 patients, DILI was among the differential diagnoses. However, DILI was also the histopathologically preferred diagnosis in 12 of 15 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Only in 3 of 15 patients, histopathology was considered compatible with AIH. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and autoantibodies during ALI/ALF were higher in patients with AIH than with DILI. Patients with AIH did not show a more pronounced biochemical response to corticosteroids in the first 10 days of treatment than patients with DILI. CONCLUSIONS: Liver biopsy is indispensable when liver involvement by an extrahepatic disease is suspected. To distinguish AIH from DILI in ALI/ALF, serum IgG, and autoantibodies seem more helpful than liver biopsy; long-term follow-up is needed in these patients.

Shear Wave Elastography Reveals a High Prevalence of NAFLD-related Fibrosis even in Type 1 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and advanced stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is well known. Some studies indicate a relevant prevalence also in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but so far there is only limited data. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related liver fibrosis in individuals with T1DM and compare to those with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Diabetic patients from a single diabetes care centre were screened for liver fibrosis by sonographic shear wave elastography (SWE). In addition, all patients received laboratory evaluation including non-alcoholic fatty liver fibrosis score and Fibrosis-4 Index. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty patients were included in the study, of these, 310 received SWE. Overall 254 patients (93 with type 1 and 161 with type 2 diabetes) had reliable measurements and were included in the final analysis. In patients with type 1 diabetes, the prevalence of NAFLD-related liver fibrosis was 16-21%, depending on the method of detection. Significant liver fibrosis was observed in 30-46% of patients with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed an unexpectedly high prevalence of NAFLD-related liver fibrosis in patients with type 1 diabetes. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies using SWE to diagnose advanced NAFLD in type 1 diabetes in a non-preselected cohort. Considering the findings of our study, regular screening for hepatic complications must be recommended for all diabetic patients, even for those with type 1 diabetes.

Point Shear-Wave Elastography Using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging for the Prediction of Liver-Related Events in Patients With Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

Chronic viral hepatitis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of our study was to assess the ability of point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for the prediction of the following liver-related events (LREs): new diagnosis of HCC, liver transplantation, or liver-related death (hepatic decompensation was not included as an LRE). pSWE was performed at study inclusion and compared with liver histology, transient elastography (TE), and serologic biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, Fibrosis-4, FibroTest). The performance of pSWE and TE to predict LREs was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and a Cox proportional-hazards regression model. A total of 254 patients with a median follow-up of 78 months were included in the study. LRE occurred in 28 patients (11%) during follow-up. In both patients with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV), pSWE showed significant correlations with noninvasive tests and TE, and median pSWE and TE values were significantly different between patients with LREs and patients without LREs (both P < 0.0001). In patients with HCV, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for pSWE and TE to predict LREs were comparable: 0.859 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.747-0.969) and 0.852 (95% CI, 0.737-0.967) (P = 0.93). In Cox regression analysis, pSWE independently predicted LREs in all patients with HCV (hazard ratio, 17.9; 95% CI, 5.21-61-17; P < 0.0001) and those who later received direct-acting antiviral therapy (hazard ratio, 17.11; 95% CI, 3.88-75.55; P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Our study shows good comparability between pSWE and TE. pSWE is a promising tool for the prediction of LREs in patients with viral hepatitis, particularly those with chronic HCV. Further studies are needed to confirm our data and assess their prognostic value in other liver diseases.

Safety and rapid efficacy of guideline-based gender-affirming hormone therapy: an analysis of 388 individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

OBJECTIVE: Hormone treatment is an important part of gender reassignment therapy in gender dysphoria. Previous data about efficacy and safety are commonly based on small cohorts or they comprise former cohorts under meanwhile obsolete therapy regimes. Our objective was to investigate these topics in a large cohort of individuals under guideline-based treatment. DESIGN/METHODS: Cohort study of medical files of n = 155 male-to-female (transwomen) and n = 233 female-to-male transgender persons (transmen) of an Endocrine outpatient clinic between 2009 and 2017. RESULTS: Median time to reach amenorrhoea in transmen under testosterone monotherapy was 3 months, regardless of whether testosterone undecanoat or gel was used. Transmen with higher levels of hemoglobin 3-4 months after onset of GAHT had a greater chance to reach amenorrhea early, whereas testosterone levels showed no significant correlation (hemoglobin: HR: 1.639; 95% CI: 1.036-2.591, P = 0.035; testosterone: HR: 0.999; 95% CI: 0.998-1.001, P = 0.490). Estradiol levels (ρ -0.117; P = 0.316) had no significant influence on breast development in transwomen. Testosterone levels (ρ -0.398; P < 0.001) and FAI (ρ 0.346; P = 0.004) were significantly negatively correlated with reached Tanner stage. Liver values and blood lipids showed an alignment to reference range of the required sex in both groups. Relevant elevations of liver values were rare (2.44% in transmen, 4.23% in transwomen) and transient in most cases. Most relevant side effects were acne (44.8%), respectively erythrocytosis (up to 5.6%) in transmen and venous thrombembolism (1.9%) in transwomen. CONCLUSIONS: Gender-affirming hormone therapy in accordance with current clinical practice guidelines is efficient and safe.

Use of Antiplatelet Agents Is Inversely Associated With Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease.

Platelets participate in the development of liver fibrosis in animal models, but little is known about the benefit of antiplatelet agents in preventing liver fibrosis in humans. We therefore explored the relationship between the use of antiplatelet agents and liver fibrosis in a prospective cohort study of patients at high risk of liver fibrosis and cardiovascular events. Consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary angiography at the University Hospital Frankfurt were prospectively included in the present study. Associations between use of antiplatelet agents (acetyl salicylic acid, P2Y12 receptor antagonists) and liver fibrosis were assessed in regression models, and the relationship between platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGF-ß) serum concentration, platelets, liver fibrosis, and use of antiplatelet agents was characterized. Out of 505 included patients, 337 (67%) received antiplatelet agents and 134 (27%) had liver fibrosis defined as a FibroScan transient elastography (TE) value ≥7.9 kPa. Use of antiplatelet agents was inversely associated with the presence of liver fibrosis in univariate and multivariate analyses (multivariate odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.89; P = 0.006). Use of antiplatelet agents was also inversely associated with FibroTest values (beta, -0.38; SD beta, 0.15; P = 0.02). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between platelet counts and PDGF-ß serum concentration (rho, 0.33; P < 0.0001), but PDGF-ß serum levels were not affected by antiplatelet agents. Conclusion: There is a protective association between the use of antiplatelet agents and occurrence of liver fibrosis. A randomized controlled trial is needed to explore causality and the potential of antiplatelet agents as antifibrotic therapy in patients at risk for liver fibrosis progression.

Comparison of strain elastography, point shear wave elastography using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and 2D-shear wave elastography for the differentiation of thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare three different elastography methods, namely Strain Elastography (SE), Point Shear-Wave Elastography (pSWE) using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI)-Imaging and 2D-Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE), in the same study population for the differentiation of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients received a conventional ultrasound scan, SE and 2D-SWE, and all patients except for two received ARFI-Imaging. Cytology/histology of thyroid nodules was used as a reference method. SE measures the relative stiffness within the region of interest (ROI) using the surrounding tissue as reference tissue. ARFI mechanically excites the tissue at the ROI using acoustic pulses to generate localized tissue displacements. 2D-SWE measures tissue elasticity using the velocity of many shear waves as they propagate through the tissue. RESULTS: 84 nodules (73 benign and 11 malignant) in 62 patients were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity and NPV of SE were 73%, 70% and 94%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and NPV of ARFI and 2D-SWE were 90%, 79%, 98% and 73%, 67%, 94% respectively, using a cut-off value of 1.98m/s for ARFI and 2.65m/s (21.07kPa) for 2D-SWE. The AUROC (Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic) of SE, ARFI and 2D-SWE for the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules were 52%, 86% and 71%, respectively. A significant difference in AUROC was found between SE and ARFI (p = 0.008), while no significant difference was found between ARFI and SWE (86% vs. 71%, p = 0.31), or SWE and SE (71% vs. 52%, p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: pSWE using ARFI and 2D-SWE showed comparable results for the differentiation of thyroid nodules. ARFI was superior to elastography using SE.

Severity of coronary artery disease is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver dis-ease: A single-blinded prospective mono-center study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Liver steatosis has shown to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the presence and severity of CAD and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) assessed by transient elastography (TE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). METHODS: 576 Patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in this prospective study, receiving at least 10 TE and CAP measurements using the FibroScan® M-probe. Clinically relevant CAD (CAD 3) was defined as stenosis with ≥75% reduction of the luminal diameter. NAFLD was determined by CAP ≥234 dB/m. NAFLD with advanced fibrosiswas determined by TE-values ≥7.9kPa in the presence of NAFLD and absence of congestive or right-sided heart failure. Rates and 95% confidence intervals are shown. RESULTS: 505 patients were available for analysis of NAFLD. However, only 392 patients were available for analysis of NAFLD with advanced fibrosis, since 24 patients had to be excluded due to non valid TE-measurements and 89 patients due to congestive or right-sided heart failure or suspected concomitant liver disease, respectively. 70.5% (66.3%-74.4%) of patients had CAD 3, 71.5% (67.3%-75.4%) were diagnosed with NAFLD, and 11.2% (8.3%-14.8%) with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis. Patients with CAD 3 had higher median CAP-values (273±61 vs. 260±66 dB/m; p = 0.038) and higher degrees of steatosis as compared to patients without CAD 3. While NAFLD was significantly more often diagnosed in patients with CAD 3 (75.0% vs. 63.1%, p = 0.0068), no significant difference was found for NAFLD with advanced fibrosis (10.7% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant CAD is frequently associated with the presence of NAFLD, but not NAFLD with advanced fibrosis.

Evaluation of 2D- Shear Wave Elastography for Characterisation of Focal Liver Lesions.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This is a prospective study for evaluation of 2D-shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) for characterisation and differentiation of benign und malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs). METHODS: The patients referred to our ultrasound unit were prospectively included. B-mode ultrasound and 2D-SWE (Aixplorer® France) were performed for one FLL in each patient. Liver histology and/or contrast-enhanced imaging were used as a reference method. RESULTS: 140 patients with FLL were included. SWE acquisitions failed in 24% of them. Therefore, 106 patients with FLL could be analysed, 42/106 with benign and 64/106 with malignant FLLs. The median stiffness for benign FLLs was 16.4 (2.1-71.9) kPa: 16.55 kPa for 18 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 16.35 kPa for 18 hemangioma, 9.8 kPa for 3 focal fatty sparings (FFS), 8.9 kPa for 1 adenoma, 20 kPa for one regenerative node and 29 kPa for one cholangiofibroma, and for the malignant FLLs 36 (4.1-142.9) kPa: 44.8 kPa for 16 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 70.7 kPa for 7 cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) and 29.5 kPa for the 41 metastasis (p<0.001). Malignant FLLs were significantly stiffer than benign FLLs (p<0.0001). Cholangiocarcinomas were the stiffest malignant FFLs with significantly higher values as compared to HCCs and metastases (p=0.033 and p=0.0079, respectively). No significant difference in stiffness could be observed between the different benign FLL entities. No significant difference was observed whether 2D-SWE included the whole FLL, the periphery or only the hardest area of the FLL. CONCLUSIONS: 2D-SWE provides further characterising information for interpretation of FLLs and may be useful at least in differentiation of CCCs and HCCs.

Individual patient data meta-analysis of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) technology for assessing steatosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence of fatty liver underscores the need for non-invasive characterization of steatosis, such as the ultrasound based controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Despite good diagnostic accuracy, clinical use of CAP is limited due to uncertainty regarding optimal cut-offs and the influence of covariates. We therefore conducted an individual patient data meta-analysis. METHODS: A review of the literature identified studies containing histology verified CAP data (M probe, vibration controlled transient elastography with FibroScan®) for grading of steatosis (S0-S3). Receiver operating characteristic analysis after correcting for center effects was used as well as mixed models to test the impact of covariates on CAP. The primary outcome was establishing CAP cut-offs for distinguishing steatosis grades. RESULTS: Data from 19/21 eligible papers were provided, comprising 3830/3968 (97%) of patients. Considering data overlap and exclusion criteria, 2735 patients were included in the final analysis (37% hepatitis B, 36% hepatitis C, 20% NAFLD/NASH, 7% other). Steatosis distribution was 51%/27%/16%/6% for S0/S1/S2/S3. CAP values in dB/m (95% CI) were influenced by several covariates with an estimated shift of 10 (4.5-17) for NAFLD/NASH patients, 10 (3.5-16) for diabetics and 4.4 (3.8-5.0) per BMI unit. Areas under the curves were 0.823 (0.809-0.837) and 0.865 (0.850-0.880) respectively. Optimal cut-offs were 248 (237-261) and 268 (257-284) for those above S0 and S1 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CAP provides a standardized non-invasive measure of hepatic steatosis. Prevalence, etiology, diabetes, and BMI deserve consideration when interpreting CAP. Longitudinal data are needed to demonstrate how CAP relates to clinical outcomes. LAY SUMMARY: There is an increase in fatty liver for patients with chronic liver disease, linked to the epidemic of the obesity. Invasive liver biopsies are considered the best means of diagnosing fatty liver. The ultrasound based controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) can be used instead, but factors such as the underlying disease, BMI and diabetes must be taken into account. Registration: Prospero CRD42015027238.

WFUMB Guidelines and Recommendations on the Clinical Use of Ultrasound Elastography: Part 4. Thyroid.

The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) has produced guidelines for the use of elastography techniques including basic science, breast and liver. Here we present elastography in thyroid diseases. For each available technique, procedure, reproducibility, results and limitations are analyzed and recommendations are given. Finally, recommendations are given based on the level of evidence of the published literature and on the WFUMB expert group's consensus. The document has a clinical perspective and is aimed at assessing the usefulness of elastography in the management of thyroid diseases.

Safety of transient elastography in patients with implanted cardiac rhythm devices.

BACKGROUND: At present the use of transient elastography (TE) in patients with pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices is not recommended, since the safety due to the electromagnet embarked in the vibrator for producing the shearwave has not been evaluated. However, no adverse events of sonographic examinations in this patient group have been reported. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of TE in patients with PM or ICD. METHODS: In a prospective study we evaluated safety and function of such devices during TE. In 17 patients with PM and 17 patients with ICD, the function of the device was checked prior to and after TE examination. RESULTS: In none of the 34 patients changes in stimulation thresholds, electrode impedance and sensing were detected. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the assumption that the potential harm of TE in patients with PM and ICD is rare.