The role of ultrasonography in the measurement of subcutaneous and visceral fat and its correlation with hepatic steatosis

Abstract

The role of ultrasonography in the measurement of subcutaneous and visceral fat and its correlation with hepatic steatosis * O papel da ultrassonografia na medida da gordura subcutânea e visceral e sua correlação com a esteatose hepática Roberto Velloso Eifler 1 Objective: To evaluate the sonographic measurement of subcutaneous and visceral fat in correlation with the grade of hepatic steatosis. Materials and Methods: In the period from October 2012 to January 2013, 365 patients were evaluated. The subcutaneous and visceral fat thicknesses were measured with a convex, 3-4 MHz transducer transversely placed 1 cm above the umbilical scar. The distance between the internal aspect of the abdominal rectus muscle and the posterior aortic wall in the abdominal midline was considered for measurement of the visceral fat. Increased liver echogenicity, blurring of vascular margins and increased acoustic attenuation were the parameters considered in the quantification of hepatic steatosis. Results: Steatosis was found in 38% of the study sample. In the detection of moderate to severe steatosis, the area under the ROC curve was 0.96 for women and 0.99 for men, indicating cutoff values for visceral fat thickness of 9 cm and 10 cm, respectively. Conclusion: The present study evidenced the correlation between steatosis and visceral fat thickness and suggested values for visceral fat thickness to allow the differentiation of normality from risk for steatohepatitis.

Is subclinical atherosclerosis associated with visceral fat and fatty liver in adolescents with type 1 diabetes?

“…In this case, measurements were taken at the inner edge of the alba line and at the peritoneal line for thickness and area. Visceral fat thickness was measured as the distance between the anterior wall of the aorta and the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis muscle [ 15 ].…”

Body composition and functional assessment of nutritional status in adults: a narrative review of imaging, impedance, strength and functional techniques

“…Even though conversion factors are being developed, this currently limits the usefulness of echo intensity reference values. Furthermore, it would appear that there is a lack of universally accepted cut‐offs for intra‐abdominal fat thicknesses, with different cut‐offs proposed for various risks . Therefore, further work is required to validate USS measurements and to develop universally agreed reference data, which is cognisant of age, sex and ethnicity.…”

Prevalence and sonographic changes compatible with fatty liver disease in patients referred for abdominal ultrasound examination in Aracaju, SE

“…Routine abdominal ultrasonography (US) reveals much higher prevalence values than those observed in investigations by means of laboratory aminotransferases tests ( 7 ) . Therefore, US plays a relevant role as a complementary method in the evaluation of liver conditions such as NAFLD, since it allows for an early diagnosis in asymptomatic patients ( 8 - 10 ) . With the use of US, the prevalence of steatosis in industrialized countries ranges from 20% to 40% ( 11 ) .…”

“…US demonstrates to be a sensitive and relevant method for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the liver, gallbladder and intra-and extrahepatic biliary tract ( 16 , 17 ) . The US sensitivity for NAFLD ranges from 60% to 94%, and the specificity, from 88% to 95% ( 18 , 19 ) , being the first option for the diagnosis of liver steatosis for its simplicity, low cost, absence of ionizing radiation, wide availability and absence of side effects ( 10 , 20 ) .…”