Focal fatty change in the liver could be debatable in some cases, and easily mis-diagnosed as a tumor.

MRI helps for better characterization of hepatic focal lesions. In focal hepatic steatosis, out-of-phase or other lipid-sensitive MR imaging sequences are helpful for diagnosis of focal fatty steatosis. Other criteria of focal steatosis include absence of mass effect and normal course of the hepatic and portal vessels through the lesions. Absence of diffusion restriction and contrast enhancement.