Table 1 Scoring protocol for hepatic steatosis by ultrasonography
From: Noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of NAFLD in association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk
U/S features | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
Liver echotexture (ECO) | 0 | Normal: echo level of the liver parenchyma is homogenous and no difference in contrast between liver and kidney parenchyma |
1 | Mild fatty change: slightly increase in echo pattern of the liver | |
2 | Moderate fatty change: intermediate between scores 1 and 3 | |
3 | Severe fatty change: gross discrepancy of the increased hepatic to renal cortical echogenicity | |
Echo penetration and visibility of diaphragm (DIA-VIS) | 0 | Normal: liver structure is clearly defined from the surface of the diaphragm. The outline of the diaphragm is clearly visualized |
1 | Mild fatty change: mild attenuation of sound beam through the liver | |
2 | Moderate fatty change: intermediate between scores 1 and 3 | |
3 | Sever fatty change: marked attenuation of sound beam through the liver. The diaphragm is not visualized | |
Clarity of liver blood vessel structures (VAS) | 0 | Normal: vessel wall and lumen of the vessel can be clearly visualized |
1 | Mild fatty change: slightly decreased definition of portal venule walls | |
2 | Moderate fatty change: intermediate between scores 1 and 3 | |
3 | Sever fatty change: only the main portal veins can be visualized with the absence of all smaller portal venule walls |