Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the most common cause of
chronic liver disease in western countries. NAFLD is etiologically associated with systemic
and hepatic insulin resistance and is considered by many as the hepatic manifestation of the
metabolic syndrome. NAFLD has a wide histological spectrum ranging from 'simple'steatosis
to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to cirrhosis. Hepatocellular
carcinoma may occur in NASH-related cirrhosis. The diagnosis of NAFLD/NASH is based on …