Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Liver Histology

Liver Histology

The microscopic anatomy of the liver is a complex and intricate system that comprises numerous structural units known as liver lobules, each of which is comparable in size to a sesame seed. These hexagonal structures consist of plates of liver cells or hepatocytes, which are characterized by their versatility and abundance of cellular apparatus like rough and smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, and mitochondria.
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and FibroScan are valuable diagnostic tools in gastroenterology and hepatology, each with specific applications and techniques.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Project for interventional Oncology LArge-database in liveR Hepatocellular carcinoma - Preliminary CT-based radiomic analysis (POLAR Liver 1.1).

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2022

Same author

Acute pancreatitis and parathyroid carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2021

Same author

The diagnostic performance of PIVKA-II in metabolic and viral hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot study.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2020

Same author

Biomarkers in HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia patients withnon-Hodgkin lymphoma.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2020

Same author

SARS-CoV2 RNA detection in a pancreatic pseudocyst sample.

Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]·2020

Same author

Lack of association between Vitamin D status and free light chains profile with different chronic HCV-related liver and extrahepatic disorders.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Application of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in a Rat Model of NAFLD/NASH

Application of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in a Rat Model of NAFLD/NASH

Published on: April 20, 2021

Hypoechoic lesions in fatty liver. Quantitative study by histomorphometry.

E Caturelli¹, L Costarelli, M Giordano

¹Divisione di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Generale Regionale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy.

Gastroenterology

|June 1, 1991

Summary

Ultrasonography reveals focal liver lesions in fatty liver disease. Hypoechoic lesions have fewer fat droplets, while hyperechoic lesions have more, explaining ultrasonic contrast.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Fluorescent-Stained Lipid Droplets with 3D Reconstruction for Hepatic Steatosis Assessment

Analysis of Fluorescent-Stained Lipid Droplets with 3D Reconstruction for Hepatic Steatosis Assessment

Published on: June 2, 2023

A 3D Quantification Technique for Liver Fat Fraction Distribution Analysis Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A 3D Quantification Technique for Liver Fat Fraction Distribution Analysis Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: October 20, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Application of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in a Rat Model of NAFLD/NASH

Application of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in a Rat Model of NAFLD/NASH

Published on: April 20, 2021

Analysis of Fluorescent-Stained Lipid Droplets with 3D Reconstruction for Hepatic Steatosis Assessment

Analysis of Fluorescent-Stained Lipid Droplets with 3D Reconstruction for Hepatic Steatosis Assessment

Published on: June 2, 2023

A 3D Quantification Technique for Liver Fat Fraction Distribution Analysis Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A 3D Quantification Technique for Liver Fat Fraction Distribution Analysis Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: October 20, 2023

Area of Science:

Hepatology
Medical Imaging
Pathology

Background:

Fatty liver disease is characterized by fat accumulation in hepatocytes.
Ultrasonography is commonly used to assess liver parenchyma echogenicity.
Focal liver lesions in fatty liver disease can present as hypoechoic or hyperechoic areas.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the underlying microstructural differences in focal liver lesions observed via ultrasonography in patients with fatty liver changes.
To correlate ultrasonographic findings (hypoechogenicity and hyperechogenicity) with morphometric analysis of fat content and droplet size.

Main Methods:

Liver biopsies were performed on ten patients with fatty liver changes.
Ultrasonography was used to identify focal hypoechoic and hyperechoic lesions.
Morphometric analysis quantified fat area density and lipid droplet numerical density in lesional and perilesional tissues.

Main Results:

Six of seven hypoechoic lesions showed significantly lower numerical density of lipid droplets compared to surrounding parenchyma.
Three hyperechoic lesions exhibited significantly higher numerical density of lipid droplets.
Area density of fat was not significantly different between lesional and perilesional areas in most cases.

Conclusions:

Hypoechoic focal lesions in fatty liver disease likely represent areas with fewer, larger lipid droplets.
Hyperechogenicity may result from a higher number of smaller fat vacuoles.
Variations in the number of lipid droplet interfaces explain the ultrasonic contrast observed.