THE ROLE OF MODERN ULTRASONIC METHODS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LIVER FAT INFILTRATION: METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

Fatty infiltration of the liver (steatosis, steatohepatosis ) is a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes, which leads to disruption of intrahepatic metabolic processes and the formation of progressive structural and functional changes in the liver parenchyma. According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MASD) in the general population reaches 25-30%, and among patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus exceeds 60-70%, which determines the high medical and social significance of this pathology. Modern ultrasound technologies have proven themselves as a non-invasive, safe, and accessible method for the primary diagnosis of liver diseases. The use of multiparametric ultrasound, including scale scanning, Doppler ultrasound, and elastography, significantly expands the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound. A comprehensive ultrasound approach allows increasing the accuracy of detecting fatty liver infiltration, conducting differential diagnosis of diffuse diseases, and more objectively assessing the degree of fibrous changes, which is of fundamental importance for risk stratification and choosing the optimal management tactics for patients.