Top

Published in:

Open Access 01-10-2011 | Pictorial Review

Fatty liver deposition and sparing: a pictorial review

Authors: Patrick-Olivier Décarie, Luigi Lepanto, Jean-Sébastien Billiard, Damien Olivié, Jessica Murphy-Lavallée, Claude Kauffmann, An Tang

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

Objective

Fatty liver deposition is a very common finding, but it has many atypical patterns of distribution that can represent diagnostic pitfalls. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to review different patterns of fatty liver deposition and sparing.

Methods

We searched our archive retrospectively, reviewed the literature, and identified six patterns of liver steatosis.

Results

Steatosis may be diffuse, geographic, focal, subcapsular, multifocal or perivascular.

Conclusions

Previous knowledge of atypical patterns of steatosis distribution may prevent misdiagnosis of infiltrative disease or focal liver lesions. When an unusual form of fatty liver deposition is suspected on ultrasound or computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Preiss D, Sattar N (2008) Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an overview of prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment considerations. Clin Sci (Lond) 115(5):141–150CrossRef

Targher G, Bertolini L, Padovani R, Rodella S, Tessari R, Zenari L et al (2007) Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with cardiovascular disease among type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 30(5):1212–1218PubMedCrossRef

Sanyal AJ, Chalasani N, Kowdley KV, McCullough A, Diehl AM, Bass NM et al (2010) Pioglitazone, Vitamin E, or placebo for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. N Engl J Med 362(18):1675–1685PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

Cassidy FH, Yokoo T, Aganovic L, Hanna RF, Bydder M, Middleton MS et al (2009) Fatty liver disease: MR imaging techniques for the detection and quantification of liver steatosis. Radiographics 29(1):231–260PubMedCrossRef

Boyce CJ, Pickhardt PJ, Kim DH, Taylor AJ, Winter TC, Bruce RJ et al (2010) Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) in asymptomatic adults identified by unenhanced low-dose CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 194(3):623–628PubMedCrossRef

Alpern MB, Lawson TL, Foley WD, Perlman SJ, Reif LJ, Arevalos E et al (1986) Focal hepatic masses and fatty infiltration detected by enhanced dynamic CT. Radiology 158(1):45–49PubMedCrossRef

Hamer OW, Aguirre DA, Casola G, Lavine JE, Woenckhaus M, Sirlin CB (2006) Fatty liver: imaging patterns and pitfalls. Radiographics 26(6):1637–1653PubMedCrossRef

Kim DY, Park SH, Lee SS, Kim HJ, Kim SJ, Kim MY et al (2010) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography for the diagnosis of fatty liver: prospective study with same-day biopsy used as the reference standard. Eur Radiol 20(2):359–366PubMedCrossRef

Yokoo T, Bydder M, Hamilton G, Middleton MS, Gamst AC, Wolfson T et al (2009) Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: diagnostic and fat-grading accuracy of low-flip-angle multiecho gradient-recalled-echo MR imaging at 1.5 T. Radiology 251(1):67–76PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef

10.

Oliva MR, Mortele KJ, Segatto E, Glickman JN, Erturk SM, Ros PR, Silverman SG (2006) Computed tomography features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with histopathologic correlation. J Comput Assist Tomogr 30(1):37–43PubMedCrossRef

11.

Mathieu D, Luciani A, Achab A, Zegai B, Bouanane M, Kobeiter H (2001) Les pseudolésions hépatiques. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 25:B158–B166PubMed

12.

Basaran C, Karcaaltincaba M, Akata D, Karabulut N, Akinci D, Ozmen M et al (2005) Fat-containing lesions of the liver: cross-sectional imaging findings with emphasis on MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol 184(4):1103–1110PubMedCrossRef

13.

Matsui O, Kadoya M, Takahashi S, Yoshikawa J, Gabata T, Takashima T et al (1995) Focal sparing of segment IV in fatty livers shown by sonography and CT: correlation with aberrant gastric venous drainage. AJR Am J Roentgenol 164(5):1137–1140PubMedCrossRef

14.

Khalili K, Lan FP, Hanbidge AE, Muradali D, Oreopoulos DG, Wanless IR (2003) Hepatic subcapsular steatosis in response to intraperitoneal insulin delivery: CT findings and prevalence. AJR Am J Roentgenol 180(6):1601–1604PubMedCrossRef

15.

Prasad SR, Wang H, Rosas H, Menias CO, Narra VR, Middleton WD et al (2005) Fat-containing lesions of the liver: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics 25(2):321–331PubMedCrossRef

Title: Fatty liver deposition and sparing: a pictorial review
Authors: Patrick-Olivier Décarie
Luigi Lepanto
Jean-Sébastien Billiard
Damien Olivié
Jessica Murphy-Lavallée
Claude Kauffmann
An Tang
Publication date: 01-10-2011
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Insights into Imaging / Issue 5/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-011-0112-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Fatty liver deposition and sparing: a pictorial review

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2011

Assessment and characterisation of common renal masses with CT and MRI

Two decades of percutaneous transjejunal biliary intervention for benign biliary disease: a review of the intervention nature and complications

How do referring clinicians want radiologists to report? Suggestions from the COVER survey

Lobar and segmental liver atrophy associated with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the impact of hilar biliary anatomical variants: a pictorial essay

Radiology in paediatric non-traumatic thoracic emergencies

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the spleen: an introduction and pictorial essay