OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) and computerized tomography (CT) in evaluating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSTwenty-two NAFLD patients were selected, according to the Chinese Medical Association standard, and compared with 20 healthy persons (as the control group). Their body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and blood pressure (BP) were examined. The serum ALT, the concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and uric acid (UA) were tested simultaneously. The severity of hepatosteatosis was evaluated by 1HMRS and CT scans of their livers. The intrahepatic content of lipid (IHCL) and CT liver and spleen ratios were measured.

RESULTSThe BMI, WHR, serum ALT, FBG, TG, and UA were all elevated significantly in the NAFLD group and were (28.4+/-2.4) kg/m2, 0.91+/-0.04, (71.5+/-24.8) U/L, (5.67+/-0.61) mmol/L, (2.48+/-1.46) mmol/L, (420.7+/-57.5)micromol/L, respectively, P less than 0.01 or 0.05. Meanwhile, in the NAFLD group, the IHCL calculated by 1HMRS were increased and CT value ratios were decreased significantly compared with those of the control group (27.49%+/-12.27% vs 1.34%+/-0.79%, P less than 0.01). However, there was no correlation between the clinical features and the IHCL and between the clinical features and CT value ratios, but a negative correlation existed in the CT value ratio and IHCL.

CONCLUSIONSThe intrahepatic content of lipids can be measured precisely by 1HMRS, and 1HMRS is better than CT in quantitative evaluations of NAFLD.