A liver measurement ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of the liver and its surrounding blood vessels. This diagnostic tool provides valuable information about the liver’s condition. It is safe, quick, and helps medical professionals assess liver health without invasive methods.
What is Liver Measurement Ultrasound
A liver measurement ultrasound employs high-frequency sound waves to visualize the liver. This technique captures real-time images of the organ. Beyond its general appearance, this ultrasound measures attributes such as its size, shape, and blood flow. An important aspect measured is liver stiffness, often assessed through elastography. Elastography works by sending low-frequency vibrations into the liver and measuring how quickly these vibrations travel through the tissue. Stiffer liver tissue indicates potential damage like fibrosis or scarring, making this a valuable indicator of liver health.
Reasons for a Liver Measurement Ultrasound
Medical professionals order a liver measurement ultrasound to detect and monitor various liver conditions. It assesses fatty liver disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease. The ultrasound identifies fat accumulation and helps determine if the condition is mild, moderate, or severe. It also evaluates chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C, which can lead to inflammation and damage.
The ultrasound also assesses the progression of liver fibrosis, the scarring of liver tissue. Untreated fibrosis can advance to cirrhosis, a severe and often irreversible form of liver scarring that impairs function. By measuring liver stiffness, the ultrasound helps doctors determine the presence and severity of this scarring, guiding treatment decisions. This test may be ordered if a person experiences liver disease symptoms like jaundice or upper right abdominal pain, or if blood tests show elevated liver enzymes.
What Happens During the Ultrasound
Before a liver measurement ultrasound, you may be asked to fast for 6 to 12 hours. This preparation helps reduce gas in the abdomen, which can interfere with the sound waves, and allows for better visualization of the gallbladder and liver. You can take your usual medications with a small amount of water, unless instructed otherwise. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing is advisable, as you will expose your abdomen during the procedure.
During the scan, you will lie on an examination table, usually face up. A sonographer will apply a clear, warm gel to your upper right abdomen. This gel helps the transducer, a small handheld device, make good contact with your skin and allows sound waves to pass through effectively. The sonographer will move the transducer across your skin, capturing real-time images of your liver on a computer screen. You might be asked to adjust your breathing or position for clearer images. The procedure typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Interpreting Liver Measurement Results
After the liver measurement ultrasound, a radiologist will review the images and send a report to your doctor. The results will indicate the size and appearance of your liver, as well as its stiffness measurements. A normal adult liver measures between 13-15 cm in craniocaudal dimension for the right lobe and less than 7 cm in width for the left lobe. Normal liver stiffness results are between 2 and 7 kilopascals (kPa).
Deviations from these normal ranges can suggest liver damage. Increased liver stiffness indicates fibrosis, or scarring of the liver tissue. Fibrosis is graded in stages from F0 to F4, based on the amount of scarring. F0 signifies no or minimal scarring, F1 indicates mild fibrosis, F2 suggests moderate scarring, F3 points to severe scarring, and F4 represents cirrhosis, which is irreversible severe scarring. A stiffness result above 17.4 kPa may indicate cirrhosis (F4). These results, combined with your medical history and other tests, help your doctor diagnose liver conditions and plan appropriate treatment.