Pulse-Echo Quantitative US Biomarkers for Liver Steatosis: Toward Technical Standardization

David T. Fetzer, Ivan M. Rosado-Mendez, Michael Wang, Michelle L. Robbin, Arinc Ozturk, Keith A. Wear, Juvenal Ormachea, Timothy A. Stiles, J. Brian Fowlkes, Timothy J. Hall, Anthony E. Samir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Excessive liver fat (steatosis) is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is an independent risk factor for cirrhosis and associated complications. Accurate and clinically useful diagnosis, risk stratification, prognostication, and therapy monitoring require accurate and reliable biomarker measurement at acceptable cost. This article describes a joint effort by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and the RSNA Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA) to develop standards for clinical and technical validation of quantitative biomarkers for liver steatosis. The AIUM Liver Fat Quantification Task Force provides clinical guidance, while the RSNA QIBA Pulse-Echo Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarker Committee develops methods to measure biomarkers and reduce biomarker variability. In this article, the authors present the clinical need for quantitative imaging biomarkers of liver steatosis, review the current state of various imaging modalities, and describe the technical state of the art for three key liver steatosis pulse-echo quantitative US biomarkers: attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, and speed of sound. Lastly, a perspective on current challenges and recommendations for clinical translation for each biomarker is offered.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-276
Number of pages12
JournalRADIOLOGY
Volume305
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2022
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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