A liver ultrasound can reveal various conditions, including fat accumulation, inflammation, scarring, and abnormal growths within the liver. It is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess the liver's size, shape, and overall structure.
Here's a more detailed look at what a liver ultrasound can show:
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Steatotic Liver Disease (Fatty Liver): The ultrasound can identify increased fat storage in the liver cells. This condition, also known as fatty liver disease, can appear as a brighter or more echogenic liver texture compared to normal.
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Hepatitis: Signs of inflammation and swelling (hepatitis) within the liver can sometimes be detected, although ultrasound is often less sensitive than other imaging techniques (like MRI) for diagnosing mild hepatitis. It can sometimes show an enlarged liver or changes in its texture.
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Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: Ultrasound can suggest the presence of scar tissue (fibrosis) and advanced scarring (cirrhosis). In cirrhosis, the liver's texture becomes nodular and irregular. Signs such as an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) or fluid in the abdomen (ascites), often associated with cirrhosis, might also be visible.
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Liver Lesions: The scan can detect abnormal spots, masses, or growths on the liver. These lesions may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Examples include:
- Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs within the liver.
- Hemangiomas: Benign tumors composed of blood vessels.
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A type of liver cancer.
- Metastases: Cancer that has spread to the liver from another part of the body.
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Gallstones: Although the primary purpose is to examine the liver, the ultrasound can often visualize the gallbladder and detect the presence of gallstones.
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Blood Vessel Abnormalities: Conditions affecting the blood vessels of the liver, such as portal vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the portal vein), can also be identified.
Limitations:
It's important to remember that ultrasound has limitations. It may not always be able to detect subtle changes or small lesions. Other imaging techniques, such as CT scans or MRI, may be necessary for a more detailed evaluation. Also, obesity or bowel gas can sometimes interfere with image quality.
In summary, liver ultrasound is a valuable tool for assessing liver health, detecting various liver diseases, and guiding further diagnostic investigations.
