Author/Authors :
Tarzamni, Mohammad Kazem Department of Radiology - Imam Khomeini Hospital - Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran , Khoshbaten, Manouchehr Drug Applied Research Centre - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Sadrarhami, Shohreh Department of Radiology - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Daneshpajouhnejad, Parnaz Isfahan Medical Students’ Research Centre - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Jalili, Javad Department of Radiology - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Gholamian, Masoud Department of Radiology - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Shahmoradi, Zahra Department of Radiology - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract :
Background: We tested whether hepatic haemodynamics
assessed by Doppler ultrasonography can be a predictor of response to therapy in patients with non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to prevent further unnecessary diagnostic tests and interventions.
Methods: Forty eight consecutive patients affected by NAFLD, who refered to some clinics in Tabriz, Iran between 2009 and 2011 were included in the study. Response to therapy was assessed by decrease in liver enzyme levels. Three liver Doppler parameters (hepatic artery resistance index [RI], hepatic artery pulsatility index [PI] and portal vein waveform [PVW]) were
analysed in all subjects who showed a decrease in liver function tests results. Wilcoxon and paired student’s t‑test were used for analysis.
Results: Forty eight subjects with NAFLD were included in the study during 21 months, out of which 22 (39.1% male – mean age: 37.6 ± 8.3) responded to the treatment and formed the basis of this study. Mean hepatic artery RI increased significantly from 0.60 ± 0.07 to 0.83 ± 0.27 before and after treatment, however,
there was no significant differences between hepatic artery PI or PVW.
Conclusions: Increase in hepatic artery RI assessed by Doppler ultrasound may provide information on improvement of NAFLD in patients during the course of therapy.
