Background/aims: We compared ultrasound and Xenon-133 hepatic retention ratio to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing fatty liver.
Methodology: One hundred and forty-six patients with suspected fatty liver were included. All patients underwent an ultrasound study followed by a determination of the Xenon-133 hepatic retention.
Results: Using the Xenon-133 hepatic retention ratio as the diagnostic standard, the overall accuracy of ultrasound in detecting fatty liver was 57.5%, with 100% sensitivity and 6.0% specificity.
Conclusions: Ultrasound can be used as a first-line screening imaging modality for fatty liver. If the result of ultrasound is equivocal, then Xenon-133 hepatic retention determination should be performed for the diagnosis and management of fatty liver.