Ultrasound Elastography-Cornerstone of Non-Invasive Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Assessment.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease has become the most common chronic liver disease as well as the most common cause for liver transplantation. With its different methods types, elastography of the liver can be used for non-invasive evaluation of the liver fibrosis and steatosis degree. The article focuses on the description, use, advantages, and limitations of the currently known elastographic techniques. It proposes a simple risk assessment algorithm for the liver fibrosis progress evaluation. The following is an overview of the use of liver and spleen elastography in the detection of clinically relevant portal hypertension. It concludes with research and technological possibilities that could be important to the field in the upcoming years.

Muscle psoas indices measured by ultrasound in cirrhosis - Preliminary evaluation of sarcopenia assessment and prediction of liver decompensation and mortality.

BACKGROUND: No data on the European population exists regarding the use of an ultrasoundbased measurement of psoas diameter for sarcopenia assessment in cirrhosis. AIMS: To determine the applicability of an ultrasound measurement of the psoas muscle diameter in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and to assess whether this surrogate is associated with hospitalization due to decompensation and mortality. METHODS: In 75 consecutive patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and in 20 control subjects (January 2016 to November 2017), psoas muscle diameter was prospectively measured. The reliable measurements were used for the further analysis. Relevant clinical and laboratory data was collected. RESULTS: Ultrasound measurement was applicable in 100% of control and in 72% of study subjects. Psoas to height ratio was significantly related to hospitalization and mortality (p < 0.0001, HR 0.717, 95% CI: 0.622-0.828 and p = 0.022; HR = 0.825, 95% CI: 0.701-0.973) as was psoas muscle index (p < 0.0001, HR = 0.881, 95% CI: 0.836-0.929 and p = 0.017; HR = 0.930, 95% CI: 0.876-0.987). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound measurement of psoas muscle diameter and its derived indices is applicable and associated with hospitalization and mortality in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.