Non-invasive tests of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Issue 5 (5th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Guanlin; Zhang, Xinrong; Lin, Huapeng; Liang, Lilian Yan; Wong, Grace Lai-Hung; Wong, Vincent Wai-Sun
• Editors: Ji, Yuanyuan
• Is Part Of: Chinese medical journal. Volume 135:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 532
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2022-03-05
• Subjects: Fatty liver -- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease -- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis -- Liver fibrosis -- Cirrhosis -- Transient elastography -- FibroScan -- Magnetic resonance imaging; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine, Oriental -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine, Oriental; Medicine; Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000002027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0366-6999

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: For the detection of steatosis, quantitative ultrasound imaging techniques have achieved great progress in past years. Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction is currently the most accurate test to detect hepatic steatosis. Some blood biomarkers correlate with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, but the accuracy is modest. Regarding liver fibrosis, liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography (TE) has high accuracy and is widely used across the world. Magnetic resonance elastography is marginally better than TE but is limited by its cost and availability. Several blood biomarkers of fibrosis have been used in clinical trials and hold promise for selecting patients for treatment and monitoring treatment response. This article reviews new developments in the non-invasive assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Accumulating evidence suggests that various non-invasive tests can be used to diagnose NAFLD, assess its severity, and predict the prognosis. Further studies are needed to determine the role of the tests as monitoring tools. We cannot overemphasize the importance of context in selecting appropriate tests.