Hippokratia 2000, 4(4):179-185
A. Stefanidis, T. Theodoridis, E. Karoglou, A. Gavriilidou, C. Liouliakis, N. Fotiades, E. Soilemezi
Abstract
Fatty infiltration of the liver occurs in response to various toxic and metabolic insults. The liver occupies a central position in lipid metabolism. Disruption of one or more steps in hepatic lipid metabolism may result in abnormal accumulation of triglycerides in the hepatocytes.Fatty change of the liver usually is a diffuse process involving the entire organ. Focal sparing in an otherwise diffusely fatty infiltrated liver may simulate metastasis, a primary neoplasm, an abscess, other tumor, or infectious involvement of the liver.In nine patients ultrasound demonstrated fatty infiltration of the liver with diffuse increased echogenicity except for a solitary hypoechogenic area. The final diagnosis was confirmed by CT examination and the fine needle aspiration cytology and histology of these hypoechoic areas.