Michaela Fedelešová, Ľubomír Valko
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent liver disease in adults in developed countries. As the incidence
of NAFLD rises, there is increased need for widely available, non-invasive and sensitive diagnostic tool. Ultrasound
possesses these requirements by using standardized sonographic findings for NAFLD including dorsal attenuation
of image, increased diffuse echogenicity, uniform heterogenous liver, thick subcutaneous tissue and enlarged liver
filling entire sonographic field with no edges visible. Ultrasonography is highly sensitive and specific diagnostic modality
and important screening tool. Its main limitation is inability to grade and stage degree of liver fibrosis and distinguish
simple steatosis from steatoheptitis. Ultrasound can not replace liver biopsy, which still remains the gold standard
in diagnosing NAFLD. Its several advantages designate it to integration into the routine clinicians practice.