[Is sonography superior to enzyme diagnosis in the detection of hepatic steatosis?].

In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of sonography in steatosis of the liver, liver biopsies were performed in 52 patients with sonographically diagnosed steatosis of the liver. 27 of 28 patients with normal serum enzymes showed an estimated steatosis of 10 to 40% on histological examination. In the other 24 patients with increased serum enzyme levels histological steatosis was found in 20 patients. 8 further patients with presumed systemic disorders had both normal sonographic findings and normal serum enzyme levels and when subjected to liver biopsy showed an estimated steatosis in the range of 5 to 10%. Reliable sonographic diagnosis of steatosis of the liver can be made only if the degree of steatosis exceeds 10% at least. Normal serum enzyme levels do not exclude steatosis of the liver.