ultrasound in liver disease
Last reviewed 01/2018
Ultrasound is a cheap, safe and non-invasive; for these reasons it is the first investigation of choice in disorders of the liver, biliary tree and pancreas.
The following parameters can be accurately assessed:
- degree of dilatation of the biliary tree
- the presence of stones in the gallbladder
- size and patency of the hepatic and portal veins
- space occupying lesions, which can generally be detected if they are larger than 1 cm in diameter
Ultrasound is less sensitive but still useful for:
- detecting stones in the common bile duct
- assessing the texture of the liver parenchyma
Ultrasound guided biopsy and drainage of liver lesions are routine but should be undertaken with caution.