Conclusion
This research marks a novel endeavour in utilizing a portable
spectroscopic system to assess hepatic steatosis in human liver
specimens. Two-stage biochemical and histopathological validations
highlight the potential of the examined system as a trustworthy,
non-invasive modality for steatosis evaluation. Notably, the ambient
light-compatible approach signifies a notable progression beyond prior
spectroscopic methods, effectively addressing associated limitations.
Raman scattering was validated able to quantify lipid content and
therefore detect the presence of Global HS in human liver specimens.
Moreover, introducing a dual-variable prediction for identifying
significant (≥10%) discrepancies in global HS and MaS demonstrates the
potential of differentiating between steatotic livers with different
extent of MaS.
Beyond immediate outcomes, this study lays the foundation for the
broader application of ambient light-compatible spectroscopic probes in
clinical environments, potentially revolutionizing intraoperative liver
assessments. Amidst the escalating demand for liver transplantation,
tools of this nature hold substantial promise in ensuring optimal graft
quality, consequently benefiting liver recipients. While the results are
encouraging, further research is imperative to affirm the comprehensive
potential and applicability of this system, especially in real-world
operating room contexts.
Table 1. Population characteristics of included human liver specimens.