
03/02/2025
The group is gathered in Dr. Meera’s Liver Clinic, where she is discussing the various diagnostic tools used for fatty liver disease. A new patient, Mr. Sharma, has just arrived for evaluation after his recent blood test suggested possible MASLD.)
Introduction to Fatty Liver Investigations
Dr. Meera: Mr. Sharma, welcome to the clinic. From your reports, I see your blood tests showed mildly elevated ALT and AST levels, along with high triglycerides and fasting glucose. These are red flags for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).
Mr. Sharma: Oh, I didn’t expect that. I feel fine, just a bit of fatigue now and then.
Dr. Meera: That’s the tricky part—fatty liver disease often has no symptoms until it progresses. That’s why proper investigation is key.
1. Ultrasound: The First-Line Investigation
Dr. Meera: The first step in evaluating fatty liver is an Abdominal Ultrasound. It’s quick, widely available, and helps detect fat accumulation in the liver.
Arjun: But ultrasound only picks up steatosis when at least 30% of liver cells are affected, right?
Dr. Meera: Exactly! That’s why a normal ultrasound doesn’t rule out fatty liver—it just means the fat content is below the detection threshold.
Dr. Raj: And ultrasound cannot distinguish between simple steatosis and inflammation (MASH). That’s why we sometimes need more advanced imaging.
2. MRI & Advanced Imaging for Liver Fat & Fibrosis
Dr. Meera: If we need a more detailed assessment, we use MRI-based techniques.
MRI-PDFF (Proton Density Fat Fraction) – Measures the exact percentage of liver fat; anything over 5-6% is abnormal.�Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) – Measures liver stiffness, which helps detect fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Sanya: So, MRI is useful for picking up even mild cases of fatty liver?
Dr. Meera: Correct. It’s the most sensitive imaging modality for detecting even early steatosis.
Vikram: But MRI isn’t routinely available in all settings, right?
Dr. Meera: That’s true. MRI is expensive and not practical for large-scale screening, so we mainly use it for high-risk patients.
3. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) & Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE)
Dr. Meera: Another non-invasive method to assess liver stiffness and fibrosis is Shear Wave Elastography (SWE).
SWE measures the speed of shear waves traveling through the liver → Higher speed means more stiffness, indicating fibrosis progression.�It can be done along with ultrasound → Quick, painless, and useful for monitoring disease over time.
Amit: So this means people don’t always need a liver biopsy?
Dr. Meera: Exactly! Liver biopsy is no longer the first choice unless we strongly suspect advanced fibrosis or other liver diseases.
MRE vs. SWE:�MRE is more precise but requires MRI, making it costly.�SWE is cheaper, faster, and widely available but may be less accurate in obese patients.
4. Blood Biomarkers for Liver Fibrosis
Dr. Raj: Imaging is great, but blood tests also play a key role. We use biomarker-based scores to assess liver fibrosis non-invasively.
FIB-4 Score (Fibrosis-4 Index)�Uses age, AST, ALT, and platelet count�Helps estimate risk of advanced fibrosis
NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS)�Factors include BMI, diabetes, platelet count, AST, ALT�Higher scores indicate higher risk of fibrosis
Fatty Liver Index (FLI)�Uses BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, and GGT�FLI < 30 = No fatty liver, FLI > 60 = Confirmed fatty liver
AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI)�AST levels divided by platelet count�Helps predict significant fibrosis or cirrhosis
Sanya: So, FIB-4 and NFS can help determine who needs more advanced tests?
Dr. Raj: Exactly! These scores help us prioritize high-risk patients for additional imaging like MRE or SWE.
5. When is a Liver Biopsy Needed?
Mr. Sharma: So do I need a liver biopsy?
Dr. Meera: Not necessarily. We now rely on non-invasive methods first. A biopsy is only needed if:
There’s a high suspicion of advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis�Other liver diseases (autoimmune, viral, genetic) need to be ruled out�Imaging and biomarkers give conflicting results
Vikram: But isn’t biopsy still the gold standard for diagnosing MASH?
Dr. Meera: Yes, but it’s not practical for routine screening—it’s invasive, costly, and carries risks like bleeding.
Patient Discussion & Next Steps
Mr. Sharma: So what’s my next step?
Dr. Meera: Based on your reports, we will:�Start with an ultrasound to check for liver fat.�Calculate FIB-4 score using your blood tests.�If needed, do SWE for fibrosis assessment.�Lifestyle changes immediately – diet, exercise, and weight loss.
Why Screening is Essential
Vikram: This makes me realize how many undiagnosed cases are out there.
Dr. Raj: That’s why MASLD is a silent epidemic—many people don’t realize they have it. Early detection is crucial.
Neha: And even simple lifestyle changes can reverse fatty liver before it progresses.
Dr. Meera: Absolutely! That’s why we need better awareness, early screening, and integrated management.
The session concludes as Mr. Sharma prepares for his ultrasound and the students discuss how to integrate these diagnostic tools in future public health initiatives.