Clinical features of fatty liver

Patients are usually asymptomatic and there may be no hepatomegaly.

• occasionally a patient may have an enlarged, smooth, firm liver and an further investigation confirms the diagnosis of fatty liver
• often diagnosis is suggested by
• an ultrasound report e.g. diffusely echogenic organ suggestive of fatty liver, when the patient was having an abdominal ultrasound relating to investigation of another clinical problem
• abnormal liver function tests, measured as part of routine testing (e.g. - health checks)

Other clinical features occur infrequently:

• nausea and vomiting with periumbilical, epigastric or right upper quadrant pain may occur in the alcoholic fatty liver
• pulmonary fat emboli in acute fatty liver may cause death

Reference:

• (1) Wilkins T et al. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2013;88(1):35-42.