The hepatic storage disorders are genetic conditions characterized by the accumulation of toxic substances within either hepatocytes or the hepatic extracellular matrix. This deposition causes secondary tissue damage, which may eventually progress to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).…
Etiology Hepatic iron overload is a generic term that refers to the nonphysiologic accumulation of iron within the hepatic parenchyma. The most clinically significant cause of hepatic iron overload is hereditary hemochromatosis. Hereditary hemochromatosis is associated with several mutations in…
Etiology Fatty liver is a generic term that refers to the accumulation of lipids within hepatocytes. This chapter focuses on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common form of fatty liver. Histologically, it resembles alcoholic liver injury but occurs…
Ultrasound Technical Aspects Ultrasound is a widely accessible, noninvasive imaging method that has many advantages over other imaging methods. It is portable and relatively inexpensive with high spatial and temporal resolution. It does not involve ionizing radiation and can be…
Elastography Principle Physicians have long used the technique of palpation in the clinical setting. The underlying principle of palpation lies in the ability to feel stiffer tissue in the background of softer tissue when pressed (palpated). Ultrasound brings this concept…