We investigated the feasibility of ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) for assessing pediatric hepatic steatosis. A total of 111 children and adolescents who underwent liver ultrasonography with ATI for suspected hepatic steatosis were included. Participants were classified into the normal, mild, or moderate−severe fatty liver group according to grayscale US findings. Associations between clinical factors, magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction, steatosis stage and ATI values were evaluated. To determine the cutoff values of ATI for staging hepatic steatosis, areas under the curve (AUCs) were analyzed. Factors that could cause measurement failure with ATI were assessed. Of 111 participants, 88 had successful measurement results. Median ATI values were significantly increased according to steatosis stage (p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) was a significant factor for increased ATI values (p = 0.047). To differentiate fatty liver from normal liver, a cutoff value of 0.59 dB/cm/MHz could be used with an AUC value of 0.853. To differentiate moderate to severe fatty liver from mild fatty liver, a cutoff value of 0.69 dB/cm/MHz could be used with an AUC value up to 0.91. ATI can be used in children as an effective ultrasonography technique for quantifying and staging pediatric hepatic steatosis.
Keywords: attenuation imaging; children; fat quantification; liver steatosis; ultrasonography.