Hepatic attenuation on CT

Changed by Ayush Goel, 30 Sep 2014

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Hepatic attenuation on CT (reflected by Hounsfield values) depends on a combination of factors including the presence or absence (as well as phase) of IV contrast administration.

Allowing for all these factors, the mean unenhanced attenuation value is around 55 HU ⁴.

Several intrinsic liver pathologies can be attributed a diffuse change in liver attenuation with a amount of hepatic fat being the most prevalent.

Causes of diffusely increased attenuation

deposition of certain metals
- iron in haemochromatosis and haemosiderosis
- copper in Wilson disease
glycogen storage disease(es)
medications/drugs
- amiodarone hepatotoxicity ~~- long~~: long-term amiodarone administration ^7-8
- Gold therapy ⁶
previous Thorotrast administration

Causes of diffusely decreased attenuation

diffuse fatty infiltration (diffuse hepatic steatosis)
diffuse malignant infiltration
diffuse non malignant infiltrative disease (e.g. hepatic amyloidosis)

~~-<a href="/articles/amiodarone-hepatotoxicity">amiodarone hepatotoxicity</a> - long-term amiodarone administration <sup>7-8</sup>~~
+<a href="/articles/amiodarone-hepatotoxicity">amiodarone hepatotoxicity</a>: long-term amiodarone administration <sup>7-8</sup>

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Hepatic attenuation on CT

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Causes of diffusely increased attenuation

Causes of diffusely decreased attenuation

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