The varied sonographic appearances of focal fatty liver disease: review and diagnostic algorithm

Clin Radiol. 2012 Apr;67(4):372-9. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2011.10.020. Epub 2012 Jan 20.

Abstract

Focal fat infiltration and focal fat sparing of the liver are less common than diffuse fat infiltration but present a greater diagnostic conundrum. Although typical features of these conditions are well described, there is a wide variety of different appearances. These atypical patterns present significant difficulty in differentiation from other pathological processes and often require additional investigation. We present an innovative diagnostic algorithm and illustrate its effectiveness in diagnosing focal fatty liver disease with typical and atypical examples.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Ultrasonography