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Thursday, June 13, 2024—Medical experts emphasized the critical role of ultrasound in the early detection of fatty liver disease, highlighting that relying solely on blood tests may not provide a timely diagnosis.
Current diagnostic protocols for fatty liver disease primarily involve assessing patient history, conducting physical examinations, and analyzing blood tests, including liver enzyme levels and other markers of liver function. Despite this, experts argue that these methods might not always reveal early stages of the disease.
“Imaging studies, such as ultrasound and FibroScan, allow us to visualize the liver and detect fat accumulation even when liver enzyme levels are within normal ranges,” said Dr. Akash Roy, Senior Hepatologist at Apollo Hospitals in Kolkata. “Early and accurate detection through imaging techniques could lead to timely interventions, lifestyle modifications, and treatment plans that significantly improve patient outcomes. Therefore, I urge healthcare professionals to consider adopting ultrasound as a routine diagnostic tool for fatty liver disease.”
Fatty liver disease, often associated with obesity and diabetes, results from excessive carbohydrate consumption, which raises insulin levels and can lead to insulin resistance. This metabolic disruption causes excess glucose to be converted into fatty acids, which are stored in the liver. The condition is categorized into two main types: alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the latter of which can progress to serious liver conditions like fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer if left untreated.
A recent study by Apollo Hospitals, which included 53,946 participants undergoing preventive health check-ups, revealed that 33% were diagnosed with fatty liver. Notably, only one-third of these patients showed elevated liver enzymes, underscoring the inadequacy of blood tests alone in early detection.
“Early detection is critical for effective management of fatty liver disease. Ultrasound imaging plays a vital role in identifying the grades of fatty liver, even in its silent stages,” explained Dr. Pavan Dhoble, Junior Consultant in Gastroenterology at P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim. “By leveraging ultrasound technology, we can detect fatty liver disease before symptoms appear and prevent its progression to more severe liver damage.”
The call for incorporating ultrasound more broadly into routine diagnostic practices aims to enhance patient care by ensuring earlier detection and more effective management of fatty liver disease, potentially preventing its severe complications.
