[Echography in focal non-steatosis of the liver; diagnostic problems]

After a brief review of different patterns of steatosis of the liver three patients with focal non-steatosis are presented in whom the sonographic aspects were confused with neoplastic liver processes. CT established the diagnosis of focal non-steatosis in all three patients and liver biopsy in one. If in a steatotic liver one or more focal relatively echo-poor lesions are detected on ultrasonography, CT and (or) biopsy should be considered for definitive diagnosis.