Tips and Tricks for Ultrasound-based Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome including Fatty Liver

Abstract

Ultrasound-based diagnostic criteria for fatty liver were published on the website of The Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine in May 2019. Here, tips and tricks for ultrasound-based diagnosis of metabolic syndrome including fatty liver are presented. First, it should be noted that the pathological definition of fatty liver was changed as follows: the standard rate of lipid droplets in hepatocytes was lowered from “30% or more” to “5% or more” by the consensus of some academic societies. In addition, special ultrasound examination techniques are required in patients with metabolic syndrome because of abdominal bloating and subcutaneous/intraperitoneal fat accumulation. The key points of ultrasound-based diagnosis of metabolic syndrome are as follows: (i) elimination of preconceptions, (ii) appropriate compression of transducer and breathing control, (iii) effective use of intercostal scanning, (iv) try changing the ultrasound machine settings, and (v) effective use of patient position changes. We hope the information provided will be useful in your daily medical practice.