Ultrasonic backscatter from human liver tissue: its dependence on frequency and protein/lipid composition.

Ultrasonic volume backscatter by postmortem human liver was investigated in the 1 to 5 MHz frequency range. Representative values of the backscatter coefficient, its range, and frequency dependence were determined. The backscatter level correlated significantly with protein content in normal livers and with lipid content in abnormal fatty livers. The latter suggests the possible development of a simple, noninvasive, quantitative test for fatty infiltration of the liver.