Hepatic attenuation on CT

Changed by Henry Knipe, 10 Oct 2018

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Hepatic attenuation on CT, reflected by Hounsfield values, depends on a combination of factors including the presence or absence, as well as the phase, of IV contrast administration.

Allowing for all these factors, the mean unenhanced attenuation value is around 55 HU 4.

Pathology

Several intrinsic liver pathologies can cause a diffuse change in liver attenuation with increased hepatic fat being the most prevalent.

Aetiology
Diffusely increased attenuation
Diffusely decreased attenuation
  • -<p><strong>Hepatic attenuation on CT</strong>, reflected by <a title="Hounsfield unit" href="/articles/hounsfield-unit">Hounsfield values</a>, depends on a combination of factors including the presence or absence, as well as the phase, of IV contrast administration.</p><p>Allowing for all these factors, the mean unenhanced attenuation value is around 55 HU <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Several intrinsic liver pathologies can cause a diffuse change in liver attenuation with increased hepatic fat being the most prevalent.</p><h5>Aetiology</h5><h6>Diffusely increased attenuation</h6><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Hepatic attenuation on CT</strong>, reflected by <a href="/articles/hounsfield-unit">Hounsfield values</a>, depends on a combination of factors including the presence or absence, as well as the phase, of IV contrast administration.</p><p>Allowing for all these factors, the mean unenhanced attenuation value is around 55 HU <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Several intrinsic liver pathologies can cause a diffuse change in liver attenuation with increased hepatic fat being the most prevalent.</p><h5>Aetiology</h5><h6>Diffusely increased attenuation</h6><ul>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/haemochromatosis">haemochromatosis</a></li>
  • +<li>
  • +<a href="/articles/haemochromatosis">haemochromatosis</a>: one paper suggests investigation for iron overload if unenhanced liver density is &gt;75 HU <sup>9</sup>
  • +</li>

References changed:

  • 9. Lawrence EM, Pooler BD, Pickhardt PJ. Opportunistic Screening for Hereditary Hemochromatosis With Unenhanced CT: Determination of an Optimal Liver Attenuation Threshold. (2018) AJR. American journal of roentgenology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.18.19690">doi:10.2214/AJR.18.19690</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30300001">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>

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