Factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in assessing the severity of hepatic steatosis

Hsieh, Tao-shih; Tseng, Tai‐Chung; Wang, Pin‐Chao; Hsu, Ching–Sheng; Lin, Hans Hsienhong; Wang, Li-Yu; Kao, Jia‐Horng

doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2012.07.004

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our data are consistent with previous reports which compared ultrasound against histology, MRS or other imaging techniques, suggesting that ultrasound is a valid method to diagnose hepatic steatosis [ 7 , 25 – 27 , 31 , 37 ]. However, other studies have reported that the sensitivity may decrease in obese and older patients [ 38 – 40 ] perhaps because thick layers of subcutaneous fat may limit the ability to reliably detect liver echogenicity[ 39 ] or ageing may change the echo properties of the liver and kidney[ 40 ]. However, our observations demonstrate that the ultrasound method used here has excellent validity even in a sample of older individuals with a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (overweight 49% and obese 15%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validity of ultrasonography to assess hepatic steatosis compared to magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a criterion method in older adults

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe rising prevalence of obesity has made hepatic steatosis an increasingly common issue. Ultrasound is generally used in clinical practice to assess steatosis, but its accuracy has been inconsistent across studies. We aimed to determine the validity of ultrasound to diagnose hepatic steatosis when compared to the criterion method proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in older individuals.MethodsA total of 72 healthy white European individuals (n = 42 men; n = 30 women aged 67–76 years) participating in the Hertfordshire Birth Cohort Physical Activity trial had hepatic steatosis assessed by ultrasound and MRS. The ultrasound scans were graded as normal, mild, moderate and severe steatosis, while hepatic fat content above 5.5% by MRS was used as a cut-off for steatosis.Results18 participants (25%) had a level of hepatic fat measured by MRS consistent with diagnosis of steatosis. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in diagnosing hepatic steatosis (mild/moderate/severe vs normal) were 96% (95% CI: 87–99.6%) and 94% (95% CI: 73–100%) respectively, although overlap in MRS hepatic fat content was observed between the ultrasound categories.ConclusionsUltrasound is a valid method for detecting the presence or absence of hepatic steatosis in older adults and can be used as an alternative tool in both clinical investigations and epidemiological studies, when other imaging techniques are not feasible.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validity of ultrasonography to assess hepatic steatosis compared to magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a criterion method in older adults

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the study by Wang et al [34], the agreement rates between US and the histological findings were 74.3% in assessing the presence of steatosis and 61.4% in assessing steatosis severity. By using univariate analyses, body mass index (BMI) and necroinflamatory activity were associated with agreement between US and histology.…”

Section: Factors Influencing the Us Performance In Detecting Steatosismentioning

confidence: 93%

“…For example, US in morbidly obese patients had the lowest accuracy and advanced fibrosis can reduce the sensitivity of US [30]. Regarding the relationship between age and the diagnostic accuracy of US, the possible explanation was that the aging process could change the echo texture of liver and/or kidney, and thus lead to a poor performance of US in older populations [34].…”

Section: Factors Influencing the Us Performance In Detecting Steatosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Noninvasive assessment of liver steatosis using ultrasound methods

2014

Med Ultrason

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hepatic steatosis is a condition frequently encountered in clinical practice, with potential progression towards chirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Ultrasonography (US) is one of the noninvasive imaging techniques used in the diagnosis of steatosis. We will review the US diagnostic criteria, the US performance in the diagnosis and grading of hepatic steatosis, the US steatosis models, but also its limitations in the diagnosis of steatosis. In addition, we will discuss 2 modern methods of assessing hepatic steatosis using ultrasounds, namely the computerized processing of data forming the US image and the controlled attenuation parameter measured with unidimensional transient elastography.

show abstract

“…Conventional US is an accurate and highly reliable diagnostic tool for steatosis assessment. Wang et al [28] found that the agreement rate of US as compared to histology is 61.4% in assessing the steatosis severity and 74.3% in diagnosing steatosis. A meta-analysis by Hernaez et al [22] estimated that the US sensitivity to detect moderate and severe steatosis confirmed by histology is 84.8% and the specificity is 93.6%.…”

Section: Us Performance For Steatosis Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of Ultrasound Techniques and the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Lupșor-Platon

Şerban

Silion

et al. 2021

Cancers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Global statistics show an increasing percentage of patients that develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even in the absence of cirrhosis. In the present review, we analyzed the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) in the non-invasive evaluation of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC, as well as possibilities of optimizing US diagnosis with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) assistance. To date, US is the first-line examination recommended in the screening of patients with clinical suspicion of NAFLD, as it is readily available and leads to a better disease-specific surveillance. However, the conventional US presents limitations that significantly hamper its applicability in quantifying NAFLD and accurately characterizing a given focal liver lesion (FLL). Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are an essential add-on to the conventional B-mode US and to the Doppler US that further empower this method, allowing the evaluation of the enhancement properties and the vascular architecture of FLLs, in comparison to the background parenchyma. The current paper also explores the new universe of AI and the various implications of deep learning algorithms in the evaluation of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC through US methods, concluding that it could potentially be a game changer for patient care.

show abstract

Factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in assessing the severity of hepatic steatosis

Abstract: Ultrasonography could assess the severity of hepatic steatosis with moderate accuracy. Obese patients are difficult ultrasonographically. In addition, age and hepatic fibrosis could affect the performance of ultrasonography in assessing the severity of hepatic steatosis.

Cited by 10 publications

References 29 publications

Validity of ultrasonography to assess hepatic steatosis compared to magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a criterion method in older adults

Validity of ultrasonography to assess hepatic steatosis compared to magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a criterion method in older adults

Noninvasive assessment of liver steatosis using ultrasound methods

Performance of Ultrasound Techniques and the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About