Estimation of controlled attenuation parameter–based liver steatosis via raw ultrasound data from handheld devices

Journal of medical imaging, vol. 13, pp. 1–11

Abstract

Purpose: Assessment of liver steatosis is primarily performed through visual evaluation during ultrasound examinations. A more objective approach relies on quantifying ultrasound attenuation, typically using devices such as the FibroScan® or elastography integrated into high-end ultrasound systems-which offer limited accessibility. By contrast, handheld ultrasound devices (HHUDs) are more affordable and widely available. Using raw ultrasound data to get deeper insights into liver tissue characteristics could turn HHUDs into valuable diagnostic tools. We hypothesized that the frequency-specific attenuation of raw ultrasound data acquired with handheld devices correlates with the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) obtained through vibration-controlled transient elastography via FibroScan. Approach: In an exploratory, single-center study, raw data from 395 participants scheduled for CAP measurement were collected using HHUDs. Of these, 304 participants were included in the final analysis; 91 were excluded due to incomplete data. Using the raw data from the HHUDs, a method based on short-time fast Fourier transform was applied to calculate the frequency-specific attenuation. The results were then correlated with the CAP values. Results: ), although the strength of correlation varied significantly across frequencies (r_min = 0.443 at 0.75 MHz, r_max = 0.721 at 3.75 MHz), with the highest correlation, equaling results from studies with high-end ultrasound devices. Conclusion: HHUDs capable of acquiring raw data may serve as objective and accessible screening tools for liver steatosis, potentially improving treatment monitoring.

Authors 15

1. Jakob Schäfer

   Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

2. Charlotte Herzog

   Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

3. Julian Kober

   Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

4. Tönnis Trittler

   Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

5. Edgar M. G. Dorausch

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Vodafone Chair Mobile Communications Systems, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dresden, Germany

6. Omid Chaghaneh

   Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

7. Thomas Karlas

   University Hospital Leipzig · Leipzig University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leipzig University Medical Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig, Germany

8. Cornelius Kühnöl

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Vodafone Chair Mobile Communications Systems, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dresden, Germany

9. Antje Naas

   Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

10. Gerhard Paul Fettweis

    Technische Universität Dresden

    Affiliation as printed

    TU Dresden, Vodafone Chair Mobile Communications Systems, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dresden, Germany

11. Franz Brinkmann

    Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

    Affiliation as printed

    TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

12. Nicole Kampfrath

    Technische Universität Dresden

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospital Dresden, TU Dresden, Medical Department 1, Dresden, Germany

13. Jochen Hampe

    Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

    Affiliation as printed

    TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany

14. Carolin Victoria Schneider Aachen Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine

    RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

    Affiliation as printed

    RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, Aachen, Germany

15. Moritz Herzog

    Technische Universität Dresden · Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health

    Affiliation as printed

    TU Dresden, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty, Dresden, Germany