[Experimental study on quantitative evaluation of fatty liver by computed tomography]

Biochemical, histological and CT examinations of the liver were performed in 32 rabbits on significance of measuring CT values in the diagnosis of fatty liver. In 2 groups of rabbits, in which 2g/kg/day and 4g/kg/day of fat emulsion were administered intravenously for 4 weeks respectively, post-treatment reduction in CT value of light degree was observed. In a group, in which 8g/kg/day were given, there was a sufficient reduction in CT value for giving diagnosis of fatty liver of moderate degree. Significant correlation was found between changes in CT value of the liver on the one hand and contents of triglyceride, total cholesterol and cholesterol ester in the liver on the other hand, while there was, no significant correlation between changes in CT value and contents of phospholipid, protein and water. Significant correlation was found between changes in CT value of the liver and degrees of histological fat accumulation in the liver cells. It has been evidenced experimentally that prolonged administration of fat emulsion may cause fatty liver, and that measurement of CT values of the liver is a non-aggressive method of diagnosing fatty liver.