A liver ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the liver and its surrounding structures. Healthcare providers frequently recommend this procedure for symptoms like unexplained abdominal pain or abnormal blood test results suggesting a liver issue. It provides valuable visual information about the liver’s condition, helping medical professionals assess it without surgical intervention.
Visualizing Liver Structure and Composition
A liver ultrasound provides detailed insights into its size, shape, and internal texture. A healthy liver typically appears uniform in texture, with consistent echogenicity (how sound waves are reflected). Variations in size, such as an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), can be identified, and the ultrasound can assess its overall contour.
One common finding is fatty liver disease (steatosis), where fat accumulates. On an ultrasound, this condition often makes the liver appear brighter or more “echogenic.” Simple fluid-filled cysts, which are usually benign, also have a distinct appearance, showing as dark, well-defined, and thin-walled areas on the scan. In cases of acute inflammation, such as hepatitis, the liver’s appearance might change, sometimes appearing less echogenic with accentuation of portal vein walls.
Identifying Abnormal Growths and Lesions
Ultrasound can detect localized abnormalities or masses within the liver. Benign growths, such as hemangiomas (blood vessel tumors) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), have characteristic appearances. Hemangiomas often present as small, well-defined, and brighter areas on the ultrasound.
The ultrasound can also identify suspicious masses that may indicate primary liver cancer, like hepatocellular carcinoma, or metastatic cancer. While ultrasound can detect these lesions, further imaging, such as CT or MRI, and often a biopsy, are typically needed for a definitive diagnosis. Abscesses, which are pus-filled pockets, appear as variable lesions, often hypoechoic (darker) with internal echoes and irregular walls. In advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis), the liver may appear shrunken, with a nodular or irregular surface, and a coarse texture.
Evaluating Blood Flow
Doppler ultrasound assesses blood flow within the liver’s vessels, including the hepatic veins, portal vein, and hepatic artery. Evaluating blood flow provides additional information, especially in conditions affecting the liver’s vascular system.
For instance, Doppler ultrasound can reveal signs of portal hypertension (increased pressure in the portal vein), often a complication of advanced liver disease like cirrhosis. It can also detect vascular abnormalities such as blood clots (thrombosis) within the liver’s vessels or unusual vessel formations. Analyzing blood flow patterns within a detected mass can help medical professionals differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
Understanding the Diagnostic Picture
The findings from a liver ultrasound are interpreted alongside a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and blood test results to form a comprehensive diagnostic picture. This integrated approach ensures that the ultrasound findings are understood within the broader context of the individual’s health.
A qualified medical professional interprets the ultrasound results and explains their implications. Next steps vary, including monitoring over time, additional imaging like a CT scan or MRI for more detailed characterization, or a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis of suspicious lesions might be recommended. A referral to a specialist may also be part of the care plan.