Abstract
We describe a 12-year-old patient with focal fatty liver change (FFLC). The lesion was incidentally detected by ultrasonography which showed a circumscribed hyperechoic lesion measuring approximately 6×4 cm. The lesion was also examined by CT and MRI. Histologically, the lesion corresponded to a focal area of lipid-laden hepatocytes. FFLC has been delineated as a disease entity in adults. As shown by this report, it may also occur in children. There was no associated clinical morbidity and the lesion was incidentally detected by modern imaging techniques. The aetiology and pathogenesis are unknown. The significance of focal fatty lesions is their differentiation from other focal lesions such as hepatic cell carcinomas, metastatic tumours, abscess and benign tumours including lipoma, haemangiona and angiomyolipoma.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- FFLC :
-
focal fatty liver change
References
Brawer MK, Austin GE, Lewin KJ (1980) Focal fatty change of the liver, a hitherto poorly recognized entity. Gastroenterology 78: 247–252
Buonocore E, Borkowski GP, Pavlicek W, Ngo F (1983) NMR imaging of the abdomen: technical consideration. Am J Roentgenol 141: 1171–1178
Caturelli E, Rapaccini GL, Sabelli C, et al (1987) Ultrasonography and echoguided fine-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of focal fatty liver change. Hepatogastroenterology 34: 137–140
Clain JE, Stephens DH, Charboneau JW (1984) Ultrasonography and computed tomography in focal fatty liver. Gastroenterology 87: 948–952
Doyle FH, Pennock JM, Banks LM, et al (1982) Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the liver: initial experience. Am J Roentgenol 138: 193–200
Halvorsen RA, Korobkin M, Ram PC, Thompson WM (1982) CT appearance of focal fatty infiltration of the liver. Am J Roentgenol 139: 277–281
Livaghi T, Mattoni C, Sangalli G, Vettori C (1984) Focal fatty liver change by sonography. Diagn Imag Clin Med 53: 226–230
Pardes JG, Haaga JR, Borkowski G (1982) Focal hepatic fatty metamorphosis secondary to trauma. J Comput Assist Tomogr 6: 769–771
Sawada S, Kawa S, Murata T, Tanaka Y, Koishi T, Fukagae N (1983) Localized fatty infiltration of the liver. Acta Radiol Diagn 24: 359–361
Smith FW, Mallard JR, Reid A, Hutchinson JMS (1981) Nuclear magnetic resonance tomographic imaging in liver disease. Lancet I: 963–966
Stark DD, Bass NM, Moss AA, et al (1983) Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of experimentally induced liver disease. Radiology 148: 743–751
Tang-Barton P, Vas W, Weissman J, Salimi Z, Patel R, Morris L (1985) Focal fatty liver lesions in alcoholic liver disease: a broadened spectrum of CT appearances. Gastrointest Radiol 10: 133–137
Wenker JC, Baker MK, Ellis JH, Glant MD (1984) Focal fatty infiltration of the liver: demonstration by magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Roentgenol 143: 573–574
Yoon JH, Park CI, Chung KS (1987) Focal fatty change of the liver. Yonsei Med J 28: 322–325
Yoshikawa J, Matsui O, Takashima T, et al (1988) Fatty metamorphosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: radiologic features in 10 cases. Am J Roentgenol 151: 717–720
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Igarashi, M., Akiyama, Y., Nakamura, T. et al. Focal fatty liver change in a 12-year-old Japanese boy. Eur J Pediatr 153, 429–431 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01983407
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01983407