Fatty Liver Ultrasound Results Explained

When fatty liver is detected through an ultrasound, the report typically states that the liver appears mildly to moderately enlarged. The liver capsule is described as smooth, with increased parenchymal echogenicity. This means the liver tissue reflects more sound waves than normal, resulting in a brighter image on the ultrasound screen. Additionally, the intrahepatic vascular structures may appear less distinct, and there is often an increased contrast between the liver and kidney echotexture. The final impression in such cases is usually indicative of fatty liver disease.

Ultrasound, including both color Doppler and standard B-mode imaging, is highly sensitive for detecting fatty liver changes. When fat content in the liver reaches approximately 30%, ultrasound can typically identify the presence of hepatic steatosis. If fat infiltration exceeds 50%, the sensitivity of ultrasound for diagnosing fatty liver increases to about 98%. However, when fatty changes involve less than 5% of the liver tissue, the condition is considered mild and may not be clearly detected by ultrasound.

While ultrasound remains a primary screening tool due to its accessibility and ease of use, other imaging modalities like CT scans and liver transient elastography (FibroScan) can offer more precise assessments of liver fat content and stiffness. These alternative methods are particularly useful in early detection or when ultrasound results are inconclusive. Despite this, ultrasound continues to be the most widely used and accepted method for initial evaluation of fatty liver disease.