Question

What is a Focal Fatty Infiltration of the Liver?

Answer 1

Focal fatty infilteration of liver is a localised or patchy process of lipid accumulation in the liver.

Explanation:

At a cellular level there is accumulation of fat in cytoplasmic vacuoles. It is caused by focal deposition of intracellular fat within hepatocytes, which may result from altered venous flow to liver, tissue hypoxia and malabsorption of lipoproteins.

The most common cause is alcohol abuse, although diabetes, obesity, certain drugs, protein energy malnutrition also cause a fatty change.

When mild it has no effect on liver function and is usually reversible. Severe fatty change however impairs liver function and can cause cell death.