The liver is the largest and most essential organ of the human body. A healthy liver performs more than 500 body functions. Besides digestion, it also significantly regulates blood pressure, toxin eviction, and metabolism.
However, ultrasound of the liver is the safest non-invasive technique to diagnose hepatic problems. The method of liver diagnosis is common across the globe. As a result, it contributes to the treatment of several diseases with early indications than are identifiable through ultrasounds.
Basic Of Ultrasound Of Liver & What It Indicates?
Ultrasound technology is one of the most frequently used medical imaging techniques. Moreover, it is proven to be an effective way to image internal organs and tissues, as well as diagnose medical conditions. Ultrasound of the liver is a common procedure used to screen for liver abnormalities. Here, we will explore what ultrasound of the liver indicates and how the experts use it to improve your health.
What is an Ultrasound of the Liver?
Ultrasound of the liver is a noninvasive medical process that uses high-frequency sound waves to view internal body organs. Also, it is best for diagnosing conditions such as liver disease and gallstones, as well as to assess the severity of injuries.
In general, ultrasound images of the liver show abnormalities that may indicate a health problem. For example, an image may show evidence of cirrhosis (a severe form of liver disease), a tumor, or scarring due to previous surgery. Additionally, ultrasound can help doctors determine the size and location of specific organs in the body.
Usually, ultrasound Clinics have effective and reliable tools for diagnosing liver disease and other organ problems. One important advantage of this procedure is that it does not require any patient intervention other than lying still while performing it. Additionally, ultrasound is relatively quick and painless, making it a useful option for patients who are anxious about medical procedures.
Types of Ultrasound of Liver
There are several types of ultrasound of the liver. Each type of test focuses on detecting hepatic abnormalities. The main types of ultrasound used to image the liver are:
- Echo sonography (ES)
- Hepatic Doppler ultrasound (PD)
- Color Doppler ultrasound (CD)
- Liver Ultrasonography
Liver Ultrasonography
It provides information about the size, shape, and volume of the organ; the presence and extent of tumors; and the function of individual organs.
Liver ultrasonography is used to diagnose various conditions, including benign and malignant tumors, cirrhosis, hepatitis B and C virus (HBV) infection, and viral hepatitis. Moreover, it is also best for determining the severity of hepatic fibrosis, which is a condition caused by chronic inflammation in the liver.
Hepatic Doppler Ultrasound
Hepatic Doppler ultrasound is a perfect choice for abdominal examination. It helps in examining the blood velocity and the overall condition hepatic condition. Doppler ultrasound scanning uses higher-frequency sound waves that sweep across an object or area being scanned.
Color Doppler Ultrasound
Color Doppler ultrasound for the liver is performed on a histological level. CD scanning uses special sequences of sound waves that enable doctors to see blood flow within tissues. Medical experts use Color Doppler to visualize the morphological and hemodynamic condition of the hepatocytes. It helps in evaluating the blood circulation in the organ.
Echo Sonography
Echo Sonography scanning uses low-frequency sound waves that bounce off objects inside the body and return to a scanner. It is an excellent method of detecting liver problems. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, echo sonography is surely the best for hepatic conditions.
The technique is surviving in the diagnostic segment for more than a decade, it has helped radiologists in detecting chronic hepatic conditions like cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM).
Ultrasound also allows doctors to see detailed images of organs inside the body without having to perform surgery. This makes it an important tool for diagnosing conditions such as liver cancer, which is difficult to treat using traditional methods such as surgery and radiation therapy.
Learn More: A Guide to understanding ultrasound images
Ultrasound of Liver Diagnosis
Ultrasound of the liver is helpful in diagnosing various medical conditions. The ultrasound device emits high-frequency sound waves that travel through the body and reflect off organs. The waves bounce back and create an image of the organ on a screen.
The most common use for an ultrasound of the liver is to check for gallstones. In the case of gallstone diagnosis, surgery is the best way to remove it from the human body. Ultrasound helps in detecting the number of tumors in the liver. It can also be used to discover cirrhosis (a condition in which your liver has lost function) and other abnormalities.
Ultrasound is not 100 percent accurate, and it cannot always tell you how sick someone is. However, it is a vital diagnostic tool for doctors who are looking for specific information about an organ or tissue in the body.
Ultrasound of Liver Treatment
It is easy to treat any medical condition, especially in cases of early diagnosis. Among several diagnostic methods, ultrasound is the most common one. It plays an important role in examing the condition of many visceral organs. These body parts include the heart, pancreas, and small intestine. Ultrasound is safe and completely non-invasive, making it an ideal tool for routine health screenings.
Ultrasonography can detect many different types of abnormalities in the liver including:
- Fatty infiltration (fatty deposits within the liver)
- Cysts (fluid-filled sacs)
- Hepatic Tumors (malignant cells)
- Cirrhosis (degeneration of the liver)
- Fibrosis (scarring).
The accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis depends on several factors including the type of scan, the experience and skill of the doctor performing it, and the patient’s medical history.
Though there are many different types of ultrasound machines available, all use similar principles to produce images. These ultrasonic waves then transmit through tissue using an acoustic resonator. As a result, it causes scattered energy to reflect back along the path of transmission. This delayed echo creates a detailed image. This image later shows up on a monitor or you can print it out as a picture.
Final Words
The urge of performing an ultrasound of the liver is usually to rule out serious pathology such as cancer and to assess the size, shape, and function of the liver. Ultrasound can also evaluate patients with vague symptoms who might have a problem other than liver disease.
From invasive to non-invasive techniques, there are several ways to detect and treat various liver conditions. However, the accuracy of the test results depends on the skills and experience of the medical professional. Early diagnosis of the condition has maximum chances for the patient to recover and return to life. The article has all the information required for diagnosing acute and chronic hepatic conditions. If you are having any issues with your liver, you must get a liver ultrasound from the AQMDI clinic as soon as possible. With quality ultrasound results, we have medical practitioners who are experts at decoding the reports for you.