Non-invasive means of measuring hepatic fat content

Figure 5 Proton magnetic resonance spectra from three volunteers showing progressive degrees of hepatic fatty infiltration. Resonances from water and lipid (IHCL CH₂) can be clearly seen. For each individual hepatic fatty infiltration was quantified using the equation: -Percentage fat = IHCL CH₂ peak area/Water peak area × 100. Shown are spectra from a liver with very mild fatty infiltration (1.0%), a liver with moderate fatty infiltration (10.2%), and a liver with severe fatty infiltration (74.9%). Adapted from Thomas et al. Gut 2005; 54: 122-127, with permission from the BMJ Publishing Group.