Fig 1.
Gradation of hepatic steatosis: a. Normal liver echotexture. Longitudinal section through the right lobe of the liver. Similar echogenicity between liver parenchyma and the cortex of the right kidney. Intra-hepatic vascular anatomy is clearly visible and posterior aspects of the liver are well depicted; b. Mild—slightly increased echogenicity when compared to the renal cortex; blood vessels/diaphragm in view; c. Moderate—clear increased echogenicity of the liver parenchyma, impaired visualisation of intrahepatic vascular anatomy, decreased echogenicity of the renal cortex; d. Severe—marked increased echogenicity/absorption, poor penetration and visualisation of intrahepatic vascular anatomy and diaphragm, marked decreased echogenicity of the renal cortex.
Table 1.
Characteristics of participants from the Hertfordshire Birth Cohort Physical Activity trial with hepatic steatosis measures by ultrasound and MRS.
Table 2.
Prevalence of overweight, obesity, central obesity, and raised ALT levels, overall and by MRS or ultrasound categories of hepatic steatosis.
Fig 2.
Box and whisker plot of MRS hepatic steatosis levels by ultrasound category.
The lower boundary of the box indicates the 25th percentile, the line within the box is the median value and the upper boundary of the box indicates the 75th percentile. The whiskers indicate the minimum and maximum data values. If outliers are present the wiskers extend to the nearest data observation which lies within 1.5 times the interquartile range from the box. The moderate and severe scores were combined due to the small number of individuals in these categories.
Table 3.
Accuracy of ultrasound in detecting hepatic steatosis as defined by MRS in 72 participants of the Hertfordshire Birth Cohort Physical Activity trial.
Table 4.
Accuracy of individual ultrasound criterion to detect hepatic steatosis.