Patients with cirrhosis can accumulate focal iron within regenerative or dysplastic hepatic nodules, hence they are referred to as 'siderotic nodules'. Siderotic dysplastic nodules are considered premalignant lesions while siderotic regenerative nodules are a marker for severe viral or alcoholic cirrhosis.

If there are iron deposits above a certain level, siderotic regenerating nodules may appear as high attenuating nodules on CT or as heterogeneous regions of high density liver parenchyma.

MRI is more sensitive in characterizing them.