New ultrasound technique could spot liver damage in obese patients without a needle

NCT ID NCT05728697

Recruiting now Diagnosis Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a special ultrasound done during an endoscopy can accurately detect liver scarring in people with obesity and suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Researchers will compare this new method to standard tests and liver biopsy in 150 adults. The procedure adds only 2-3 minutes to a routine endoscopy and is considered safe.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Endoscopic ultrasound shear wave elastography (EUS-SWE) device
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a more accurate, non-invasive way to screen for liver scarring in people with obesity and fatty liver disease, reducing the need for liver biopsies.
What could go wrong: This is an early observational study with only 150 participants. The technique may not prove accurate enough to replace current methods, and results may not apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease Obesity obesity disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS OBESITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.