Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
A CT scan produces clear pictures of bones, muscles, tissue, organs, blood vessels and the brain that a regular X-ray cannot show.
Metabolic dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
Our expert care for this disease means faster, safer and better treatments for you
MASLD involves increased fatty deposits in your liver tissue. These deposits can cause inflammation and/or scarring in the liver and lead to impaired liver function and cirrhosis. Often, you do not have symptoms until it progresses to cirrhosis with liver failure.
At IU Health, our expert providers can diagnose and treat steatotic liver disease in its early stages. We will monitor your condition, reduce your risk factors and prevent disease progression.
Two kinds of fatty liver disease exist:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Both kinds involve increased fatty deposits in your liver tissue but MASH is the more aggressive form that includes inflammation that can progress to cirrhosis. Nearly one-third of Americans have a fatty liver unrelated to alcohol consumption. Alcohol-induced liver disease also causes fatty deposits in the liver.
Symptoms
You may have right upper abdominal pain. This comes from an increase in the size of your liver from fatty deposition. Often, people do not have any symptoms.
Diagnosis
At IU Health, your physicians may use any number of tools to diagnose your condition. They may use:
Early Intervention
Providers most often detect MASLD through imaging and routine blood tests like elevated liver enzymes.
Imaging Tests
If your physician suspects you have MASLD, imaging tests can confirm the diagnosis. Tests such as a FibroScan, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan and/or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used.
FibroScan
This technology is a quick, noninvasive scan of your liver and spleen using Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) and measures the stiffness of your liver and spleen tissue (cirrhosis) and how much fat is in your liver. You and your provider receive immediate test results. Together, you can determine treatment options. If the scan shows fatty deposits with a lot of scarring, you may need additional testing such as a liver biopsy.
Liver Biopsy
A physician (pathologist) can study your liver cells under a microscope to confirm MASH and the degree of scarring (fibrosis). This involves taking cells from your liver through a needle in an outpatient procedure with sedation.
Understanding Metabolic dysfunction Associated Liver Disease
Two kinds of fatty liver disease exist:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Both kinds involve increased fatty deposits in your liver tissue but MASH is the more aggressive form that includes inflammation that can progress to cirrhosis. Nearly one-third of Americans have a fatty liver unrelated to alcohol consumption. Alcohol-induced liver disease also causes fatty deposits in the liver.
Symptoms
You may have right upper abdominal pain. This comes from an increase in the size of your liver from fatty deposition. Often, people do not have any symptoms.
Diagnosis
At IU Health, your physicians may use any number of tools to diagnose your condition. They may use:
Early Intervention
Providers most often detect MASLD through imaging and routine blood tests like elevated liver enzymes.
Imaging Tests
If your physician suspects you have MASLD, imaging tests can confirm the diagnosis. Tests such as a FibroScan, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan and/or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used.
FibroScan
This technology is a quick, noninvasive scan of your liver and spleen using Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) and measures the stiffness of your liver and spleen tissue (cirrhosis) and how much fat is in your liver. You and your provider receive immediate test results. Together, you can determine treatment options. If the scan shows fatty deposits with a lot of scarring, you may need additional testing such as a liver biopsy.
Liver Biopsy
A physician (pathologist) can study your liver cells under a microscope to confirm MASH and the degree of scarring (fibrosis). This involves taking cells from your liver through a needle in an outpatient procedure with sedation.
At IU Health, providers have an advanced understanding and expertise of MASLD/MASH. This means faster, safer, better treatments and therapies for you. This can remove the need for invasive biopsies in some cases. It can preserve your liver function. We may use any number of the following treatments:
- Weight management. If overweight or obese, losing weight can improve your condition. Our registered dietitians and Medical Weight Loss experts help you plan a healthy diet/lifestyle.
- Exercise. Your care team works with you to find ways to stay active through regular activity/workouts. This can help you lose weight and maintain your health.
- Medicines. The first medication for MASH with advanced scarring is now available and other medicines for other conditions may reduce symptoms and keep fatty liver disease under control.
- Protection. Avoiding alcohol and following instructions for taking prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs can prevent further damage to your liver.
- Research. Our physicians are affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. That means they investigate new ways to diagnose fatty liver disease and define improvements in treating the condition.
Treatment
At IU Health, providers have an advanced understanding and expertise of MASLD/MASH. This means faster, safer, better treatments and therapies for you. This can remove the need for invasive biopsies in some cases. It can preserve your liver function. We may use any number of the following treatments:
- Weight management. If overweight or obese, losing weight can improve your condition. Our registered dietitians and Medical Weight Loss experts help you plan a healthy diet/lifestyle.
- Exercise. Your care team works with you to find ways to stay active through regular activity/workouts. This can help you lose weight and maintain your health.
- Medicines. The first medication for MASH with advanced scarring is now available and other medicines for other conditions may reduce symptoms and keep fatty liver disease under control.
- Protection. Avoiding alcohol and following instructions for taking prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs can prevent further damage to your liver.
- Research. Our physicians are affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. That means they investigate new ways to diagnose fatty liver disease and define improvements in treating the condition.
Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
This institute lets you to search for Indiana clinical research studies in which you might participate.
American Liver Foundation
This foundation provides information on education, support and research for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis)
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides nonalcoholic steatohepatitis symptom, diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial information.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Cirrhosis)
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides cirrhosis symptom, diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial information.
Resources
Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
This institute lets you to search for Indiana clinical research studies in which you might participate.
American Liver Foundation
This foundation provides information on education, support and research for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis)
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides nonalcoholic steatohepatitis symptom, diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial information.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Cirrhosis)
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides cirrhosis symptom, diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial information.