Diagnostic efficiency on ultrasound shear wave elastography in evaluation of steatosis severity for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a rat model

Yuhui Wu, Qianjiao Liu, Yan Wang, Fangyan Li, Lawrence Wing Chi Chan, Yong Wen, Fan Yang, Yining Xiang, Qinghong Duan, Peng Luo, Pinggui Lei

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The pathological feature of steatosis affects the elasticity values measured by shear wave elastography (SWE) is still controversial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study is to demonstrate the influence of steatosis on liver stiffness measured by SWE on a rat model with NAFLD and analyze feasibility of SWE for grading steatosis in absence of fibrosis. Methods: Sixty-six rats were fed with methionine choline deficient diet or standard diet to produce various stages of steatosis; 48 rats were available for final analysis. Rats underwent abdominal ultrasound SWE examination and pathological assessment. Liver histopathology was analyzed to assess the degree of steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis according to the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. The diagnostic performance of SWE for differentiating steatosis stages was estimated according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was conducted to determine clinical usefulness and the areas under DCA (AUDCAs) calculated. Results: In multivariate analysis, steatosis was an independent factor affecting the mean elastic modules (B = 1.558, P < 0.001), but not inflammation (B = − 0.031, P = 0.920) and ballooning (B = 0.216, P = 0.458). After adjusting for inflammation and ballooning, the AUROC of the mean elasticity for identifying S ≥ S1 was 0.956 (95%CI: 0.872–0.998) and the AUDCA, 0.621. The AUROC for distinguishing S ≥ S2 and S = S3 was 0.987 (95%CI: 0.951–1.000) and 0.920 (95%CI: 0.816–0.986) and the AUDCA was 0.506 and 0.256, respectively. Conclusions: Steatosis is associated with liver stiffness and SWE may have the feasibility to be introduced as an assistive technology in grading steatosis for patients with NAFLD in absence of fibrosis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number75
JournalEuropean Journal of Medical Research
Volume28
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Fat quantification
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Methionine choline deficiency
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Shear wave elastography

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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