Analysis of focal spared areas in fatty liver using color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced microvessel display sonography.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether focal fatty sparing (FFS) formation in the liver relates to aberrant blood flow.


METHODS
Sixty-three FFSs of the liver in 52 patients were examined by color Doppler flow imaging and contrast-enhanced microvessel display sonography. The 63 FFSs included 16 FFSs in the porta hepatis, 14 FFSs around the gallbladder fossa, and 33 other FFSs. The control group included patients with a diagnosis of fatty liver but no FFSs or focal lesions near the porta hepatis.


RESULTS
Fourteen of 16 FFSs in the porta hepatis showed venous blood toward those areas that were differentiated from the portal and hepatic veins. Focal fatty sparings in the hilus hepatis correlated with aberrant veins, having a statistical significance compared with the control group (P < .0001). Seven of 14 FFSs around the gallbladder fossa contained blood vessels, 5 of them veins and the remaining 2 arteries. Two FFSs were located around hemangiomas. Three FFSs were located around maldeveloped vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
The blood supply to an FFS in the porta hepatis may be correlated with aberrant veins. Focal fatty sparings around the gallbladder fossa may be associated with aberrant blood flow.
Liu
Li-Ping
LP
Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Dong
Bao-Wei
BW
Yu
Xiao-Ling
XL
Zhang
Da-Kun
DK
Li
Xin
X
Li
Hua
H
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride