Diagnostic value of acoustic radiation force impulse in patients with non- alcoholic simple fatty liver

Objective To investigate the value of acoustic radiation force impulse ( ARFI) in evaluating non- alcoholic simple fatty liver ( NAFL) . Methods Eighty- four patients with NAFL, who were admitted to our hospital from June to December 2011, were divided into mild, moderate, and severe NAFL groups according to ultrasonographic findings. Meanwhile, 36 healthy people were chosen as the control group. Both groups were subjected to virtual touch tissue quantification ( VTQ) . Differences between the control group and NAFL groups and between the NAFL groups were determined. Comparisons between two groups were made using the t test and comparisons between multiple groups were conducted using the multi- factor analysis of variance. The correlation of fatty liver severity with VTQ was examined with the Spearman rank correlation test. Results The difference in VTQ value between the NAFL groups and control group was statistically significant ( 1. 74 ± 0. 49 m / s vs 1. 18 ± 0. 22 m / s; t = 3. 436, P < 0. 01) . VTQ values differed significantly across the NAFL groups ( F =21. 266, P < 0. 01) . With the increase in severity of fatty liver, VTQ value gradually increased, suggesting a positive correlation between the two variables ( Spearman correlation coefficient 0. 542, P < 0. 001) . Conclusion ARFI can reflect the severity of NAFL and can be used for the screening of patients with NAFL in outpatient and physical examination centers, offering an accurate quantitative tool for the evaluation of NAFL.