Using high-frequency ultrasound statistical scattering model to assess Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in mice

In non-invasive ultrasound (US) imaging, diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) often depends on the subjective judgment of the image brightness and speckle uniformity. In order to assist the differentiation between the NAFLD and the normal liver in US diagnoses, quantitative tissue characterization based on acoustic backscattering behaviors are performed using high-frequency US system in mice. Two statistical models of acoustic scattering, Nakagami and Acoustic Structure Quantification (ASQ), are compared in this study. Simulations of random Rayleigh amplitudes indicate an reciprocal relation between the scattering parameters of the two models. In animal experiments, mice were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce NAFLD. Experimental results demonstrated that, though both models can distinguish normal liver and NAFLD liver with statistical conference, ASQ appears to be more stable and provides higher sensitivity.