A doctor uses new ultrasonic technology to preciselycheck and measure fatty liver.

Shanghai No.6 People’s Hospital has developed a new method to precisely measure the levels of fatty liver for early detection and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

With changes in lifestyle and a rising number of people with obesity or diabetes, fatty liver has become the most prevalent liver problem detected duringcheck up. It is expected to overtake viral hepatitis as the most prevalent liver disease.

Long-term fatty liver and its deterioration can cause cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease and worsen diabetes, and the public have poor awareness and understanding of these dangers.

“Previously, we just judged whether a patient has fatty liver or not but were unable to identify its level through ultrasonic imaging, because it can be influenced by many factors such as the machine, the doctor’s experience and thepatient’s individual condition,” said Dr Wei Cong from Shanghai No.6 People’s Hospital. “We have to ask them to undergo other blood tests and checks — only very slight or very serious fatty liver can be clearly determined by ultrasonic checks.”

The hospital’s ultrasonic department developed technology to identify early-stage fatty liver and the seriousness of the condition for patients with hepatic fibrosis, who needn’t receive liver biopsy any more.

“Through accurate judgement on fatty liver, we can perform screenings among the public and follow-up checks on patients to give more appropriate evaluation and intervention,” said Dr Hu Bing, director of the hospital’s ultrasonic department. “Now we can providean accurate diagnosis to direct clinical practice and patient education.”