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01-05-2021 | Ultrasound | Ultrasound

Detection of pediatric hepatic steatosis through ultrasound backscattering analysis

Authors: Yao-Hung Chuang, Chiao-Shan Hsieh, Ming-Wei Lai, Chien-Chang Chen, Hsun-Chin Chao, Hung-Yu Yeh, Hung-Hsiang Lai, Po-Hsiang Tsui

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

Objectives

Hepatic steatosis has become a considerable concern in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using ultrasound Nakagami imaging to produce a parametric image for analyzing the echo amplitude distribution to assess pediatric hepatic steatosis.

Methods

A total of 68 pediatric participants were enrolled in healthy control (n = 26) and study groups (n = 42). Raw data from ultrasound imaging were acquired for each participant analysis using AmCAD-US, a software approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for ultrasound Nakagami imaging. The Nakagami parameters were compared with the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and the steatosis grade (G0: HSI < 30; G1: 30 ≤ HSI < 36; G2: 36 ≤ HSI < 41.6; G3: 41.6 ≤ HSI < 43; G4: HSI ≥ 43) using correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

The Nakagami parameter increased from 0.53 ± 0.13 to 0.82 ± 0.05 with increasing severity of hepatic steatosis from G0 to G4 and were significantly different between the different grades of hepatic steatosis (p < .05). The areas under the ROC curves were 0.96, 0.92, 0.85, and 0.82 for diagnosing hepatic steatosis ≥ G1, ≥ G2, ≥ G3, and ≥ G4, respectively.

Conclusions

The Nakagami parameter value quantifies changes in the echo amplitude distribution of ultrasound backscattered signals caused by fatty infiltration, providing a novel, noninvasive, and effective data analysis technique to detect pediatric hepatic steatosis.

Key Points

• Ultrasound Nakagami imaging enabled quantification of the echo amplitude distribution for tissue characterization.

• The Nakagami parameter increased with the increasing severity of pediatric hepatic steatosis.

• The Nakagami parameter demonstrated promising diagnostic performance in evaluating pediatric hepatic steatosis.

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Title: Detection of pediatric hepatic steatosis through ultrasound backscattering analysis
Authors: Yao-Hung Chuang
Chiao-Shan Hsieh
Ming-Wei Lai
Chien-Chang Chen
Hsun-Chin Chao
Hung-Yu Yeh
Hung-Hsiang Lai
Po-Hsiang Tsui
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Ultrasound
Fatty Liver
Ultrasound
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07391-7

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Springer Medicine

Detection of pediatric hepatic steatosis through ultrasound backscattering analysis

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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