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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
Published on: March 11, 2017
[Is the Intrahepatic Sound Speed an Indicator of the Fat Content of the Liver in Children?]
M Born1, R Chakupurakal2, M Hamm3
1Radiologische Klinik - FE Kinderradiologie, Universität Bonn, Bonn.
Purpose:
Can the sonographically estimated intrahepatic sound speed give hints on the hepatic fat content in children?
Materials And Methods:
In 75 children and adolescents the intrahepatic sound speed was estimated during routine sonography of the liver as a result of an image reconstruction algorithm. It was correlated with weight, age, size, and body mass index (BMI) oft he children, respectively.
Results:
The average hepatic sound speed in children of normal weight was 1 566 m/s (standard deviation (STD) 29 m/s, in overweight or obese children it was 1 501 m/s (STD 22 m/s), and in obese children it was 1 497 ms (STD 24 m/s). The strongest correlation was found between sound speed and BMI of the children, respectively. The difference of sound speed in normal weighing subjects and overweight/obese children was statistically significant.
Conclusion:
There is a good correlation between the estimated intrahepatic sound speed and the fat content of the liver. Further examinations are encouraged.
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