Optimization of measurements with an ultrasound attenuation coefficient algorithm for quantifying liver fat

Methods for measuring the ultrasound attenuation coefficient (AC) vary across different systems. Some have fixed regions of interest (ROI) while others have movable ROIs. Aims were to evaluate whether, using a system with a fixed ROI, correlation between AC and MRI proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF), and performance could be improved by (i) reducing fixed ROI length to 30 mm, changing starting point from the transducer, and (ii) using a movable ROI at different depths.

In this retrospective multicenter study, AC measurements were performed with the Arietta 850 system, and raw data were automatically stored. AC values were obtained using a standard commercial algorithm (ROI-setting1, 35-75 mm from transducer). Raw data were successively reprocessed externally using a fixed 45-75 mm ROI (ROI-setting2) and a movable 30 mm ROI positioned with the top at 20 mm (ROI-setting3) and 25 mm below the liver capsule (ROI-setting4). Spearman rho and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) were used to assess correlation with MRI-PDFF and performance, respectively, and the Delong test was used to compare AUROCs.

Seven hundred fifty participants (median age: 65 [52, 73] years; 384 males) were included. Correlation of ROI-setting1 with MRI-PDFF was 0.75 (0.72, 0.78), reaching 0.80 (0.77, 0.82) with ROI-setting4. Overall, ROI-setting4 showed significantly the best performance across steatosis grades. AUROCs for S > 0 were 0.90 (0.87, 0.92) for ROI-setting1 and 0.92 (0.90, 0.94) with ROI-setting4 (p < 0.001). This latter performed significantly better than all other settings in participants with obesity and skin-to-liver distance > 25 mm (p < 0.05).

A movable ROI improves both AC correlation with MRI-PDFF and performance. The highest improvement was with the ROI top 25 mm below the liver capsule.

Question It remains uncertain whether utilizing an ROI at a fixed position from the transducer is optimal for ultrasound AC measurements. Findings The highest AC performance and correlation with MRI-PDFF were observed with a movable ROI positioned with the top at 25 mm under the liver capsule. Clinical relevance A movable ROI with consistent sub-capsular placement improves both correlation between AC and MRI-PDFF, as well as its performance, whereas in individuals with a skin-to-liver capsule distance > 25 mm, a fixed ROI position significantly decreases AC performance.