Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enhanced Ultrasound Techniques Used in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Are They Ready for Prime Time?

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease, affecting approximately 2 billion individuals worldwide with a spectrum that can range from simple steatosis to cirrhosis. Typically, the diagnosis of NAFLD is based on imaging studies, but the gold standard remains liver biopsies. Hence, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this field, which has recently undergone rapid development in various aspects of medicine, has the potential to accurately diagnose NAFLD and steatohepatitis (NASH). This paper provides an overview of the latest research that employs AI for the diagnosis and staging of NAFLD, as well as applications for future developments in this field.