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Updated: Jun 19, 2025
Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Published on: March 24, 2023
Quantitative Liver Imaging in Children
Haesung Yoon1, Jisoo Kim, Hyun Ji Lim
1From the Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (H.Y.); Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (H.Y., J.K., H.J.L., M.-J.L.); and Department of Pediatric Radiology, Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (J.K., H.J.L., M.-J.L.).
Quantitative imaging is crucial for pediatric liver disease treatment assessment. This review details updated ultrasound and MRI techniques tailored for children, addressing challenges like motion and sedation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Hepatology
Background:
- Pediatric liver disease diagnosis and monitoring require quantitative imaging, but children present unique challenges compared to adults.
- Children's movement during scans necessitates sedation, and longer follow-up periods impact imaging protocols.
- Tailoring noninvasive imaging tests is essential for accurate pediatric liver disease assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of updated quantitative imaging techniques for assessing pediatric liver disease.
- To highlight the specific considerations and challenges in imaging children with liver conditions.
- To review quantitative imaging methods for various pediatric liver diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of current ultrasound techniques, including echo analysis and novel attenuation imaging for fatty liver.
- Discussion of ultrasound elastography and probe selection across the pediatric age spectrum.
- Exploration of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) quantitative analysis, including fat analysis and MR elastography, acknowledging sedation needs.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound remains a primary tool, with advancements in fatty liver evaluation.
- MRI offers quantitative analysis but requires sedation in younger children.
- Specific quantitative imaging approaches are discussed for conditions like fatty liver, Wilson disease, biliary atresia, hepatic fibrosis, Fontan-associated liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and liver transplantation.
Conclusions:
- Updated quantitative imaging techniques, particularly ultrasound and MRI, are vital for pediatric liver disease management.
- Addressing pediatric-specific challenges like motion and growth is critical for effective imaging.
- Tailored imaging protocols ensure accurate assessment and monitoring of liver conditions in children.
