Fatty Liver
Fatty liver means excess fat has built up in the liver, sometimes without symptoms and sometimes with associated inflammation.
When to get help quickly: Fatty liver itself is not usually urgent, but prompt review is important if there is jaundice, vomiting blood, severe swelling, confusion, or other signs of advanced liver disease.
Common symptoms
Many people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include tiredness, discomfort on the right side of the upper abdomen, or problems linked to weight, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps when liver tests are abnormal, doctors want to check for fatty change, or there is a need to look for complications or another liver problem.
What radiology does
Ultrasound, CT, and MRI can help suggest or quantify fatty change in the liver and sometimes identify alternative causes of abnormal liver appearance.
What usually happens next
Management often centers on weight, metabolic health, alcohol review where relevant, and follow-up with the treating clinician.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
Related articles
Related scan guides
- Abdominal UltrasoundAn Abdominal Ultrasound examines the major organs in your belly, such as your liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. This quick test paints a picture of your digestive and filtration organs using sound waves.
- Liver FibroscanA liver Fibroscan is a quick, specialized ultrasound scan that measures stiffness in your liver. It helps your doctor check for scarring (fibrosis) or fatty build-up without the need for a surgical biopsy.