Imaging progress of quantitative diagnosis of fatty liver

In recent years, the incidence of fatty liver shows a rising trend due to the improvement of living standards and diet changes. Fatty liver is a benign pathological change, but in some cases it can progress to steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, even liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma, endangering seriously to life and health. Early diagnosis and treatment can make the fatty degenerative liver cells return to normal. Noninvasive method for quantitative diagnosis and follow-up efficacy of treatment is very important in clinical practice. In this paper, we reviewed the state-of-the art of ultrasound, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (including gradient dual echo T₁WI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in the quantitative diagnosis of fatty liver. (authors)