Hepatic Steatosis
Hepatic steatosis is another term for fatty liver, where fat accumulates inside liver cells.
When to get help quickly: It is not usually urgent, but prompt review is important if there is jaundice, vomiting blood, swelling of the legs or abdomen, confusion, or signs of advanced liver disease.
Common symptoms
Many people have no symptoms. Some may feel tired or have discomfort in the right upper abdomen, while others first hear about it after a routine scan or blood test.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps detect fat in the liver, estimate how much may be present, and rule out another liver problem.
What radiology does
Ultrasound, CT, and MRI can detect fatty change and sometimes estimate how severe it is.
What usually happens next
Management often includes weight, diet, metabolic risk control, and follow-up for liver health.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.