A 73 yr old patient was under surveillance for his previously resected colorectal cancer. An ultrasound demonstrated a small echogenic lesion adjacent to the ligamentum teres. Subsequent CT in the portal venous phase demonstrated a small hypoedense lesion anteriorly in segment 4a, adjacent to the falciform ligament. What is this most likely to be?
Haemangioma | |
Metastatic deposit | |
Focal fatty sparing | |
Focal hepatic steatosis | |
Adenoma |
Focal hepatic steatosis (focal fat deposition in the liver) is common, and is thought to be due to variations in the vascular supply to different areas of the liver. This is a classic location for such a finding. Its imaging appearances are also characteristic of fat, being hyperechoic on ultrasound and low attenuation on CT.