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Fibrosis or stiffness of the liver occurs in 40% of NAFLD cases. Studies have shown that NAFLD is responsible for a large portion of “unexplained cirrhosis”. On the other hand, the presence of fatty liver may predispose affected individuals to diabetes and heart disease in the future.
Fatty liver disease is a condition caused by fat deposits in the liver, which in addition to fat deposits in the liver, can lead to inflammation and fibrosis (stiffness of the liver).
Simple fatty liver refers to a situation where there is no inflammation and fibrosis (hardness) of the liver. In this case, it can be overcome by following a diet and changing the physical activity of the body. If there is inflammation and turbidity of the liver and there is no history of alcohol consumption, the term “non-alcoholic steatohepatitis” or “NASH” is used. In this case, fat is deposited in the liver, and there is a risk of liver disease even without a history of heavy alcohol consumption. Non-alcoholic fatty liver has a lot of similarities in pathology with liver disease caused by heavy alcohol consumption.
In some people with fatty liver, an ultrasound examination can show an enlarged liver or a so-called “salivary liver”. This symptom does not occur in all affected patients, and in some cases an ultrasound examination of the liver is normal. A normal ultrasound examination of the liver does not mean that you do not have fatty liver. As ultrasound equipment is used more and more, the detection rate of fatty liver has increased. Sometimes, the condition progresses to cirrhosis, which has symptoms such as an enlarged spleen, fluid in the abdomen, and swelling of organs. Ultrasound is helpful in these cases.
One of the diagnostic methods for fatty liver disease is to take a sample (liver biopsy) using a special needle and under ultrasound guidance. By taking a sample of the liver, the severity of the lesion can be determined and a more appropriate treatment can be selected. The sample obtained is examined by a pathologist.
The samples obtained by this method range from a few millimeters to centimeters and are examined by a pathology laboratory. Liver sampling requires a short hospital stay and tests of coagulation and hemoglobin. Liver sampling is usually safe, but in rare cases there is a risk of bleeding that can be managed by doctors.
Abdominal pain, missed rest or shortness of breath are some of the side effects of liver sampling. Nowadays, liver sampling is only used when necessary. It is difficult to perform liver sampling on very obese people and can lead to more complications.
In addition, today, it is possible to understand the hardness of the liver by using technology that sends low-frequency ultrasound waves into the body. This method is non-invasive and can even be performed by pregnant women.
*Dr. Seyed Moweed Alavian, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor at Baqiyatullah University
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