Collection: Steatosis

Steatosis, otherwise known as fatty liver, can be associated with a number of underlying medical diseases. The prevalence of steatosis has been estimated to be as high as 39% in some populations, and this is growing due to the increase in obesity although factors such as alcohol, drugs, auto-immune diseases and diabetes can also result in steatosis.

Steatosis occurs with decreased leptin action and is characterised by abnormal accumulations of hepatic triglycerides within parenchymal cells and when this exceeds 5% of liver weight, steatosis is seen. Fat initially accumulates in the form of small vacuoles and with time these progressively combine into larger and larger globules.