Science to practice: Should biopsy be performed in potential liver donors when unenhanced CT shows an unacceptable degree of steatosis for transplantation?

Abstract

Park et al (1) have demonstrated that unenhanced CT can accurately depict moderate to severe (ie, ≥30%) macrovesicular steatosis, thereby allowing avoidance of biopsy in potential living liver donors who have an unacceptable degree of steatosis for transplantation. Biopsy will still be needed in donors with macrovesicular steatosis of less than 30% at unenhanced CT to rule out occult chronic liver disease and more severe steatosis that is undetected at CT. © RSNA, 2006.