Reproducibility of ultrasound-derived fat fraction in measuring hepatic steatosis

Steatotic liver disease (SLD) has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Nevertheless, the non-invasive quantitative diagnosis of steatosis is still lacking in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of the new parameter for steatosis quantification named ultrasound-derived fat fraction (UDFF).

The UDFF values were independently executed by two operators in two periods. In the process, repeated measurements of the same patient were performed by the same operator under different conditions (liver segments, respiration, positions, and dietary). Finally, the results of some subjects (28) were compared with the MRI-derived proton density fat fraction (PDFF). The concordance analysis was mainly achieved by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman.

One hundred-five participants were included in the study. UDFF had good reliability in measuring the adult liver (ICC_{intra-observer} = 0.96, ICC_{inter-observer} = 0.94). Meanwhile, the ICC of the two operators increased over time. The variable measurement states did not influence the UDFF values on the surface, but they affected the coefficient of variation (Cov) of the results. Segment 8 (S8), end-expiratory, supine, and fasting images had the most minor variability. On the other hand, the UDFF value of S8 displayed satisfied consistency with PDFF (mean difference, -0.24 ± 1.44), and the results of both S5 (mean difference: -0.56 ± 3.95) and S8 (mean difference: 0.73 ± 1.87) agreed well with the whole-liver PDFF.

UDFF measurements had good reproducibility. Furthermore, the state of S8, end-expiration, supine, and fasting might be the more stable measurement approach.

UDFF is the quantitative ultrasound parameter of hepatic steatosis and has good reproducibility. It can show more robust performance under specific measurement conditions (S8, end-expiratory, supine, and fasting).

The research protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on October 9, 2023 ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ). The registration number is ChiCTR 2300076457.

There is a lack of non-invasive quantitative measurement options for hepatic steatosis. UDFF demonstrated excellent reproducibility in measuring hepatic steatosis. S8, end-expiratory, supine, and fasting may be the more stable measuring condition. Training could improve the operators' measurement stability. Variable measurement state affects the repeatability of the UDFF values (Cov).