Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the value of virtual touch tissue quantification technique in systemic lupus nephritis(LN). Methods108 cases of LN were divided into four groups: type Ⅰ （normal glomerular group）， type Ⅱ（mesangial proliferation group）， type Ⅲ（focal group）， type Ⅳ（diffuse group）. And 30 health participants were enrolled as control group．The shears wave velocity (SWV) was measured. The SWV values were compared among different groups. Activity index(AI) and  chronic index(CI) were scored for each group， and the correlation between the score and SWV was analyzed. ResultsThe diagnostic cutoff points of Ⅰ， Ⅱ， Ⅲ and  Ⅳ were 2.13  m/s (sensitivity 75%， specificity 87%)， 2.37  m/s (sensitivity 89%， specificity 90%)，2.56  m/s (sensitivity 93%， specificity 94%) and 2.91  m/s (sensitivity 80%， specificity 87%) respectively. There was significant differences between each type in LN groups vs  control group. Moreover， there were also statistically significant differences between each groups in LN group. With the severity of pathological degree， the AI and CI scores of each LN group increased . Furthermore， the AI of type Ⅳ was more than 10 points and CI scores were more than 6 points. ConclusionVirtual touch tissues quantification technique could reflect the renal tissue elasticity. It has clinical value in the diagnosis of LN.

Key words: lupus nephritis, virtual touch tissue quantification, shears wave velocity, ultrasonography