CORRELATION OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC GRADES OF FATTY LIVER WITH ELASTOGRAPHY IN ADULT PATIENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/n8tkxq15Keywords:
Elastography, Ultrasonography, Fatty Liver, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Liver Cirrhosis, , Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseAbstract
Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disorder that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left undetected. The disease spectrum ranges from simple steatosis to Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), where fibrosis develops rapidly, worsening the prognosis. Early diagnosis and staging of steatohepatitis and fibrosis are essential to prevent irreversible hepatic damage. Ultrasonography and elastography provide non-invasive diagnostic options for evaluating the severity of NAFLD and associated fibrosis.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between ultrasonographic grades of fatty liver and elastographic KPa values among adult patients with NAFLD.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, over four months. A total of 90 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. All participants underwent both ultrasound and elastography using a Toshiba Aplio 500 machine with a 3–5 MHz convex transducer. Demographic data, clinical history, and radiological findings were recorded after obtaining informed consent. Liver echogenicity was graded on grayscale ultrasound, while elastography measured liver stiffness in KPa. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, applying the Spearman correlation test.
Results: Among 90 patients, 48 (53.3%) were males and 42 (46.7%) were females, with 42 (46.7%) being diabetic and 46 (51.1%) hypertensive. Ultrasonography revealed diffuse echogenicity in 27 (30%) and hyperechoic parenchyma in 63 (70%) cases. Grade 1 fatty liver was identified in 34 (37.8%) patients and Grade 2 in 56 (62.2%). The mean KPa value was 12.3 ± 1.8, with a strong positive correlation between liver grading and KPa values (Spearman’s rho = 0.723, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: A significant correlation exists between ultrasonographic grades of fatty liver and elastographic KPa values, demonstrating that liver stiffness increases with disease severity. Combined use of ultrasonography and elastography offers an effective, non-invasive method for early detection and staging of NAFLD, potentially reducing the reliance on liver biopsy.
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