Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common form of pediatric chronic liver disease. This disease can have profound effects on overall health and is associated with diabetes, heart disease, and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The exact pathogenesis of NAFLD remains poorly understood, though it is known to progress to various chronic liver diseases, the most prevalent being hepatic fibrosis. The current gold standard for quantifying fat in the liver is via a core biopsy, which is expensive and carries an inherent risk of morbidity and mortality which makes it unsuitable for screening and monitoring purposes. We propose that MRI can be an effective, fast, and non-invasive method of screening and monitoring pediatric NAFLD. This would allow for earlier diagnosis and monitoring of pediatric NAFLD which would aid in treatment and management of this disease. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2018 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2018

Authors: Swenson Zachary, Kuo-bonde Lydia

Keywords: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Liver Biopsy