Analysis of focal spared areas in fatty liver using color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced microvessel display sonography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether focal fatty sparing (FFS) formation in the liver relates to aberrant blood flow.
Methods: Sixty-three FFSs of the liver in 52 patients were examined by color Doppler flow imaging and contrast-enhanced microvessel display sonography. The 63 FFSs included 16 FFSs in the porta hepatis, 14 FFSs around the gallbladder fossa, and 33 other FFSs. The control group included patients with a diagnosis of fatty liver but no FFSs or focal lesions near the porta hepatis.
Results: Fourteen of 16 FFSs in the porta hepatis showed venous blood toward those areas that were differentiated from the portal and hepatic veins. Focal fatty sparings in the hilus hepatis correlated with aberrant veins, having a statistical significance compared with the control group (P < .0001). Seven of 14 FFSs around the gallbladder fossa contained blood vessels, 5 of them veins and the remaining 2 arteries. Two FFSs were located around hemangiomas. Three FFSs were located around maldeveloped vessels.
Conclusions: The blood supply to an FFS in the porta hepatis may be correlated with aberrant veins. Focal fatty sparings around the gallbladder fossa may be associated with aberrant blood flow.