Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound in Fatty Liver Disease

Hepatic steatosis is a commonly seen phenomenon in clinical practice and is the result of the accumulation of lipids in the hepatocytes. In most cases steatosis refers to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but it also occurs in other diseases of the liver parenchyma of a different etiology and is the result of the dysregulation of metabolic processes. Consequently, inflammatory processes can induce progressive fibrosis. Due to the high prevalence of fatty liver disease, a further increase in metabolic liver cirrhosis with corresponding complications can be expected in the near future. Due to its broad availability, ultrasound is particularly important, especially for the management of NAFLD. In addition to diagnosis and risk stratification, the monitoring of high-risk patients in NAFLD is becoming increasingly clinically important. Multimodality ultrasound includes B-mode and duplex methods, analysis of tissue stiffness (elastography), contrast-enhanced imaging (CEUS), and steatosis quantification. When using ultrasound in fatty liver disease, a standardized approach that takes into account the limitations of the method is essential.