Parenchymal disorders

Ultrasound can detect fatty infiltration very easily indeed, due to increased echogenicity in the parenchyma. Likewise, CT will detect similar findings because of a reduced general density (increased fat content in the liver cells). Some deposition diseases, e.g. haemosiderosis are readily detected on CT.

On the other hand hepatitis (acute or chronic) can not be detected by any imaging modality. Unspecific findings like increased liver size can be measured, but do not give any explanations as to what may be the cause.