fig1

Figure 1. Illustration of US-FLI criteria and metrics: liver-kidney contrast, posterior attenuation of ultrasound beam and visualization of diaphragm. Absent -to – minimal liver-kidney contrast, which is normal, would receive a score = 0 (panel A). Conversely, the liver-kidney contrast of mild-moderate severity would be assigned a US-FLI score = 2 (panel B) and severe liver-kidney contrast would receive a US-FLI score = 3 (panel C). Absent posterior attenuation of ultrasound beam (PAUB) is normal and receives a US-FLI score = 0 (panel D). Conversely, PAUB present (highlighted with arrows) receives a US-FLI score = 1, although diaphragm remains visible, which is assigned a US-FLI score = 0 (panel E). Finally, impaired visualization of diaphragm (highlighted with arrows) owing to pronounced PAUB (panel F). These semiotics shown in panel F receive a US-FLI score = 1 each. Reproduced with permission from Ballestri et al.^[9]. US-FLI: Ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator.