High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging to Evaluate Liver Fibrosis Progression in Rats and Yi Guan Jian Herbal Therapeutic Effects

Table 1

Scoring system for high-frequency ultrasound (HFU) signs for the assessment of liver fibrosis.

Characteristic	US sign	Score
Parenchymal echotexture^a	Homogeneous echotexture	0
	Heterogeneous echotexture	1
	Coarse echotexture	2
Spleen size^b	Normal	0
	Enlarged	1
Ascites^c	Absence	0
	Presence	1
Vasculature^d	Normal	0
	Obscure with normal diameter	1
	Stretched or broad vessels	2
Surface or margin^e	Smooth	0
	Irregular	1

The cirrhosis score was determined as follows.
^aLiver parenchyma (hepatic parenchyma away from major vessel or bile duct were used in evaluation): 0 score for homogenous appearance of the parenchyma; 1 score for heterogenous with finely scattered hypoechoic and hyperechoic areas; 2 score for coarse liver with irregular or patchy pattern.
^bSpleen size index (calculated as product of oblique and diagonal diameter): 0 score for spleen size index <1.7 cm²; 1 score for larger spleen.
^cAscites: 0 score for absence of ascites; 1 score for presence of ascites.
^dVasculature: 0 score for smooth vessel wall; 1 score for obscured or blurred vessel with normal diameter; 2 score for irregular and narrowed vessel.
^eSurface of margin: 0 score for smooth surface; 1 score for uneven surface or shallow, irregular nodular surface.