Imaging diagnosis and quantification of hepatic steatosis: is it an accepted alternative to needle biopsy?
Hepatic steatosis is a frequently encountered disease in medical practice and it has a great importance due to the potential evolution towards cirrhosis. The clinical and laboratory evaluation has a quite reduced positive predictive value. On the other hand, a series of imaging techniques may be used for the diagnosis and quantification of steatosis: magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, and not least, ultrasonography. The contribution of each of the afore mentioned methods in the diagnosis of the hepatic steatosis will be discussed.
Lupsor
Monica
M
3rd Medical Clinic, Dept. of Ultrasonography, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. mmlupsor@yahoo.com
Badea
Radu
R
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography