Hitachi Aloka Medical is presenting its Arietta V70 ultrasound system with enhanced elastography functions at this week's ECR 2016.
The system features a new Shear Wave Measurement (SWM) and improved Real-time Tissue Elastography (RTE) functions. SWM measures shear-wave propagation velocity and displays a reliability indicator for the velocity measurement. It automatically makes multiple velocity measurements within a region of interest with a single button press, according to the company. An evaluation of the reliability of each measurement is made, and the percentage of correctly detected measurements is displayed. The feature helps achieve more accurate measurement results and reduce the overall total number of measurements necessary, according to Hitachi.
The system also includes enhanced elastography features. When combined with B-mode imaging, elastography improves the differentiation between benign and malignant disease in various clinical applications and especially for breast examinations, according to the company. The new RTE upgrade features an improved algorithm of auto frame selection and assist strain ratio, which can enhance workflow and examination efficiency for breast elastography studies and provide a more effective and reliable diagnosis, Hitachi said.
The company is also highlighting the use of the Arietta V70 system for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. In one system, the system is capable of both strain elastography and point shear-wave speed measurement without changing probes. Arietta V70 supports the comprehensive diagnosis of diffuse liver disease by measuring both liver fibrosis index and SWM to reflect the degree of fibrosis, inflammation, congestion, and jaundice.
![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
