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Pulse-Echo Quantitative US Biomarkers for Liver Steatosis: Toward Technical Standardization
David T Fetzer1, Ivan M Rosado-Mendez1, Michael Wang1
1From the Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (D.T.F.); Departments of Medical Physics (I.M.R.M., T.J.H.) and Radiology (I.M.R.M.), University of Wisconsin, Institutes for Medical Research, 1111 Highland Ave, Room 1005, Madison, WI 53705; General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, Wis (M.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala (M.L.R.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.O.); U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md (K.A.W.); Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (J.O.); Department of Natural Sciences, Kettering University, Flint, Mich (T.A.S.); Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich (J.B.F.); RSNA Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (T.J.H.); and Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (A.E.S.).
Accurate measurement of liver fat (steatosis) is crucial for managing chronic liver disease. This study outlines standards for quantitative ultrasound biomarkers to improve diagnosis and monitoring of liver steatosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomarker Development
- Hepatology
Background:
- Excessive liver fat (steatosis) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally.
- Accurate biomarkers are essential for diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring liver steatosis.
- Current diagnostic methods for liver fat lack standardization and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop standards for clinical and technical validation of quantitative biomarkers for liver steatosis.
- To address the need for accurate and reliable liver fat measurement.
- To guide the development and implementation of quantitative ultrasound biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Joint effort by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and RSNA Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA).
- AIUM Liver Fat Quantification Task Force provides clinical guidance.
- RSNA QIBA Pulse-Echo Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarker Committee develops measurement methods and reduces variability.
- Review of current imaging modalities and technical state of three quantitative US biomarkers: attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, and speed of sound.
Main Results:
- The article details the clinical need for quantitative imaging biomarkers for liver steatosis.
- It reviews existing imaging modalities and the technical status of key pulse-echo quantitative ultrasound biomarkers.
- Challenges and recommendations for clinical translation of these biomarkers are presented.
Conclusions:
- Standardization of quantitative ultrasound biomarkers is critical for accurate liver fat assessment.
- Further development and validation are needed for clinical translation of these biomarkers.
- This collaborative effort aims to improve the management of chronic liver disease through reliable liver fat quantification.
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