Chinese Ultrasound Doctors Association Guideline on Operational Standards for 2-D Shear Wave Elastography Examination of Musculoskeletal Tissues
Jiaan Zhu, Li Qiu, Dean Ta, Xing Hua, Hongmei Liu, Huabin Zhang, Jia Li, Yuexiang Wang, Zhanguo Xi, Yuanyi Zheng, Yong Shan, Bingyan Liu, Weijun Huang, Weiyong Liu, Shaoyun Hao, Ligang Cui, Jin Cai, Wei Zhang, Chao Zhang, Shuqiang Chen, An Wei, Fajin Dong
Abstract
The Ultrasound Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association sought to develop evidence-based recommendations on the operational standards for 2-D shear wave elastography examination of musculoskeletal tissues. A consensus panel of 22 Chinese musculoskeletal ultrasound experts reviewed current scientific evidence and proposed a set of 12 recommendations for 13 key issues, including instruments, operating methods, influencing factors and image interpretation. A final consensus was reached through discussion and voting. On the basis of research evidence and expert opinions, the strength of recommendation for each proposition was assessed using a visual analog scale, while further emphasizing the best available evidence during the question-and-answer session. These expert consensus guidelines encourage facilitation of the standardization of clinical practices for collecting and reporting shear wave elastography data. The Ultrasound Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association sought to develop evidence-based recommendations on the operational standards for 2-D shear wave elastography examination of musculoskeletal tissues. A consensus panel of 22 Chinese musculoskeletal ultrasound experts reviewed current scientific evidence and proposed a set of 12 recommendations for 13 key issues, including instruments, operating methods, influencing factors and image interpretation. A final consensus was reached through discussion and voting. On the basis of research evidence and expert opinions, the strength of recommendation for each proposition was assessed using a visual analog scale, while further emphasizing the best available evidence during the question-and-answer session. These expert consensus guidelines encourage facilitation of the standardization of clinical practices for collecting and reporting shear wave elastography data.