Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD and is essential for diagnosing NASH, as it is the only procedure that can reliably differentiate it from NAFL.[1] Imaging methods, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are more commonly used, but their ability to detect mild NAFL is poor. MRI seems to be the precise imaging method.[2]
How is NAFLD diagnosed?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is crucial for distinguishing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from simple NAFL. Although imaging methods like ultrasound, CT, and MRI are more commonly used, they are less effective at detecting mild NAFL, and MRI is the most precise option.