Clinical History.—An 18-month-old boy was evaluated for a persistent rhinorrhea and occasional cough. Gestational history was normal. His birth weight was 3.9 kg. However, growth and development seemed delayed. He ate well, was active, and had normal bowel movements. On physical examinations, he weighed 9.4 kg, and his height was 72.4 cm. He had good subcutaneous fat, but was pot-bellied. He had rhinorrhea. Physical examination was otherwise normal. A complete blood cell count level was normal. A chest roentgenogram including the upper abdomen was obtained (Fig 1 and 2).
Denouement and Discussion
The Fatty Liver: Roentgenological Recognition
Fatty or lipomatous tissue, when present in sufficient amounts, presents as a characteristic relative radiolucency on roentgenogram that is distinguishable from other soft tissues.1-3 (Note the relative contrast between abdominal musculature and liver in Fig 2).Fatty changes of the liver (infiltration, degeneation, or metamorphosis) are du to an accumulation of abnormal lipid