Bedside ultrasound in the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Table 1 Strength and weakness of ultrasound to diagnosis non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Utility of ultrasound

Non-invasive

Ease of clinician use

Ease of clinician interpretation

Widely available

Low cost

Allows quick diagnosis

Limitations of ultrasound

Cannot grade degree of fibrosis

Limited use in pre-existing chronic liver disease

Limited use in obese patients

Low sensitivity when steatosis is less than 20%-30%