Ultrasound densitometry of benign liver steatosis

Abstract

Description of case(s): We have studied 11 patients with benign liver steatosis (BLS). The control group comprised five patients with normal body mass index (index < 25 kg/m2) and normal liver. We performed regular abdominal ultrasound using routine protocol, and, additionally, densitometry of skin (as a standard), liver (three different parts: 1) closer to the anterior surface, 2) middle part, 3) closer to the posterior surface), and right kidney parenchyma (as the second standard) for all patients with BLS and control group. Body mass index (BMI) was measured for all individuals. All studies were performed with a convex transducer 3 MHz on GE-Logiq 500. The settings of the scanner for studies were the same: gain 60, power 70, all time gain compensation knobs were in neutral position. Densitometry (gray scale echo level) was performed using a built-in feature of measurement of the ultrasound scanner. We used descriptive statistics and t-test. Mean BMI for the patients with BLS was 30.1 kg/m2, for the control group 19.7 kg/m2. The mean densitometry statistics of the liver of the patients with BLS in different parts were: 1) 25.9, 2) 17.2, 3) 7.2; and in the control group: 1) 18, 2) 21.6, 3) 22.2. The main disparity between BLS and normal liver by ultrasound densitometry was the farthest portion of the liver. We calculated a separate index: ratio of this part of the liver to density of the skin. This parameter was significantly different (P<0.01) between two groups.