Hepatic Steatosis as an Incidental Finding on CT Scans

Radiologists sometimes report hepatic steatosis as an incidental finding on abdominal or chest computed tomography (CT). Hepatic steatosis on noncontrast CT is suspected when liver attenuation is less than 40 to 45 Hounsfield units or when attenuation is lower in liver than in spleen.

In this meta-analysis, researchers estimated the sensitivity and specificity of noncontrast CT for detection of hepatic steatosis. They analyzed data from 23 studies, nearly all of which used liver biopsy as the standard for comparison; liver donors for transplant comprised most of the study populations. For “any steatosis,” sensitivity and specificity of noncontrast CT were 72% and 88%, respectively. For “at least moderate steatosis,” sensitivity and specifici…