ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE DIAGNOSIS IN MORBIDLY OBESE PATIENTS

OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the concordance between abdominal ultrasound and an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and concordance of these two methods with the histopathological exam. METHODS. The population studied was compared of 145 patients with morbid obesity (BMI >= 40 kg/m(2)), of both genders. NAFLD diagnosis was performed by MRI and Ultrasound. Liver biopsy was performed in a sub- sample (n=40). To evaluate the concordance of these two methods, the kappa coefficient was used. RESULTS. Concordance between both methods (MRI and Ultrasound) was poor and not significant (Kappa adjusted = 0.27, CI 95% = 0.07-039.) Nevertheless a slight concordance was found between diagnosis of NAFLD by ultrasound and the hepatic biopsy, with 83.,3% of concordant results and Kappa adjusted - 0.67. Results of an MRI and the histopathological exam were compared and results showed 53.6% of concordant results and kappa adjusted= 0.07. CONCLUSION. The concordance found in the diagnosis performed using the ultrasound method and the hepatic biopsy, shows a need to implement and perform more research on the use of ultrasound to validate and reconsider these methods. This would minimize the need to perform biopsies to detect and diagnose such disease. [Rev Assoc Med Bras 2009; 55(1): 45-9]