The Speed of Sound in Rat Liver With Steatohepatitis: Ex Vivo Analysis Using Two Types of Ultrasound Systems

We have previously reported a non-invasive method that would be clinically applicable for measurement of speed of sound (SOS) in the liver. The objective of the present study was to confirm the utility of this new method for assessing over time the SOS in liver with progressive steatohepatitis of different grades and stages. Rats were divided into two groups—a control group and a steatohepatitis group—prepared by keeping the rats on a methionine and choline-deficient diet for 43 wk. The SOS through the liver tissue was measured using the new method in comparison with a pulse-receiver as the standard. The SOS through liver with steatohepatitis temporarily decreased with the fat deposition level and then increased in parallel with the progression of inflammation and fibrosis. Monitoring the change in SOS through liver tissue in individual patients with fatty liver would have considerable potential for assisting the non-invasive detection of early-stage steatohepatitis.