MRI question

[LoriNC]

Hi everyone. I am new and this is my first time posting. After years of worsening symptoms, I have been referred to a Hepatologist. I will post again after that appointment as I am already learning so much from all of you. My question for now is this. What would your thoughts be about an MRI in 2016 showing “steatosis throughout the liver” , and another MRI, done just 2 years later, showing no steatosis? The first scan (2016) was specific for the liver, the later one (2018) was to take a look at the pancreas. Both were done at 2 different facilities if that matters? From what I understand, steatosis doesn’t just disappear. Or am I wrong about that? Also, after it was discovered initially, I was told “very common no follow up necessary”. So I didn’t do anything extraordinary that would have cleared it up in a 2 year span if that is even possible. Thank you for you help.

[Smyally]

Hello and welcome. From what I can gather steatosis in the liver is about the the fat in the liver. If this is the same as fatty liver disease any improvements you may have made to your lifestyle between 2016 and 2018 may have improved your situation. For example did you adopt a healthier diet during this time? Or take up more exercise. I only have limited knowledge on steatosis though so hopefully someone else will be along soon to fill in any gaps. Take care x

[LoriNC in reply to Smyally]

Thank you so much for helping me. I didn’t change anything purposely, but maybe I was able to turn it around a bit without realizing I was helping. 😊

[Hidden]

Smyally is right. Steatosis is fatty liver which can disappear as a result of lifestyle changes such as reducing your alcohol intake, adopting a healthier diet, exercising, losing weight etc. The fatty infiltration found with the MRI in 2016 may have disappeared by the time you had the MRI in 2018 because you adopted a healthier lifestyle regardless of whether it was accidental or intentional.

Another possibility is that because each MRI focussed on different organs the results aren't comparable. The MRI in 2016 scanned the liver in detail while the MRI done in 2018 scanned the pancreas in detail. The MRI of the pancreas done in 2018 may have only included an incidental scan of the liver so despite the fatty infiltration still being present it didn't show up. You could probably only really be confident that the fatty infiltration found in 2016 had disappeared two years later if both MRIs had focussed on the liver.

Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide To Hepatitis and Liver Disease:

"The medical term for a fatty liver is hepatic (liver) steatosis (fat). A fatty liver is considered a benign (harmless) condition characterized by fat deposits in liver cells (hepatocytes). This is a reversible condition and does not have the potential to lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

NASH is when a fatty liver has progressed to something worse—namely, inflammation (steatohepatitis) and scarring (steatonecrosis) of the liver. Unlike a fatty liver, NASH is not considered a harmless condition, but rather a liver disease with the potential to cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer."

[LoriNC in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for this terrific information. My history is, never drank alcohol, low fat diet and under weight due to pain after eating. The only thing I can think of about why I had a fatty liver diagnosis to begin with is, possibly, genetics. Grandmother died from liver disease. It was in 1974 so I can’t really comment on the specifics due to my knowledge being limited. The information you have provided me with is wonderful. Especially regarding the scans focusing on 2 different organs. I now feel I can have an intelligent conversation with the hepatologist. Knowledge is power after all! Thank you again for taking the time to help me. This is such a welcoming and informative group. Happy to have found you all.