Efficacy of B-mode ultrasound-based attenuation for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis: a systematic review/meta-analysis

AbstractThe accuracy of attenuation coefficients and B-mode ultrasound for distinguishing between S0 (healthy,  <  5% fat) and S1–3 (steatosis ≥ 5%) livers compared to a controlled attenuation parameter is unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the diagnostic performance of B-mode ultrasound imaging for evaluating steatosis of ≥ 5%. We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies on the accuracy of B-mode ultrasound for differentiating S0 from S1–3 in adults with chronic liver disease. A bivariate random-effects model was performed to estimate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive (PLR) and negative likelihood ratios (NLR), and diagno stic odds ratios (DORs). Subgroup analyses by attenuation coefficient, conventional B-mode ultrasound findings, and B-mode ultrasound findings without semi-quantification methods were performed. Liver steatosis was scored as follows: S0, <  5%; S1, 5–33%; S2, 33–66%; and S3, >  66%. Nineteen studies involving 3240 patients were analyzed. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of B-mode ultrasound for detecting S1 were 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.77) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.89), respectively. The pooled PLR, NLR, and DOR were 4.90 (95% CI 3.69–6.51), 0.35 (95% CI 0.27– 0.44), and 14.1 (95% CI 8.7–23.0), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was better in patients with attenuation coefficients (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89; s...
Source: Journal of Medical Ultrasonics - Category: Radiology Source Type: research