A non-invasive method estimates the proportion of liver volume occupied by fat. It uses imaging techniques, typically magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound, to quantify the fat content in the liver. For instance, if the analysis determines that 15% of the liver volume is composed of fat, the reported value would be 0.15, or 15%. This quantitative assessment aids in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver diseases.
Quantifying liver fat is important for assessing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Elevated levels may indicate the presence and severity of these conditions, potentially leading to earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, longitudinal monitoring using such techniques allows clinicians to track disease progression or response to therapeutic interventions over time.
