Quantification of hepatic steatosis on dual energy computed tomography with liver function test correlation

Background and objectives. Hepatic steatosis, a growing public health concern, encompasses metabolic and alcohol-related liver diseases. This study explores the potential of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to quantify hepatic fat content and correlate these findings with liver function tests (LFTs). It aims to improve diagnostic precision, facilitate early intervention, and better understand the pathophysiology of liver conditions. Materials and methods. The research employed DECT to measure liver attenuation values, in a retrospective observational study involving 30 patients and comparing these with the established LFT markers such as ALT, AST, and bilirubin. Patients with suspected liver diseases underwent imaging, and statistical analyses were conducted to identify correlations between DECT-derived metrics and LFT abnormalities. Results. DECT demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting hepatic steatosis, with liver attenuation values inversely correlating with hepatic fat content. Significant associations were found between low attenuation values and elevated liver enzymes, indicating DECT's capability to identify early liver dysfunction. The Liver Attenuation Index (LAI) proved to be an effective measure for assessing the severity of steatosis. Conclusions. The findings underscore DECT as a valuable diagnostic tool in hepatic steatosis quantification, with strong predictive capacity for liver function abnormalities. Its integration into clinical practice can enhance the management of liver diseases, particularly by enabling non-invasive, accurate fat quantification and facilitating timely treatment planning. Limitations. The study's small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings, and the absence of histological correlation could restrict the validation of DECT findings against a gold standard.