[Liver ultrasound: focal lesions and diffuse diseases]

Semergen. 2016 Jul-Aug;42(5):307-14. doi: 10.1016/j.semerg.2014.10.012. Epub 2014 Dec 16.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Liver ultrasound is frequently used as a first-line technique for the detection and characterization of the most common liver lesions, especially those incidentally found focal liver lesions, and for monitoring of chronic liver diseases. Ultrasound is not only used in the Bmode, but also with Doppler and, more recently, contrast-enhanced ultrasound. It is mainly used in the diagnosis of diffuse liver diseases, such as steatosis or cirrhosis. This article presents a practical approach for diagnosis workup, in which the different characteristics of the main focal liver lesions and diffuse liver diseases are reviewed.

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Cirrosis; Ecografía; Esteatosis; Hemangioma hepático; Hepatic hydatid cyst; Hepatocarcinoma; Liver hemangioma; Liver metastases; Metástasis hepáticas; Quiste hidatídico hepático; Steatosis; Ultrasound.

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Ultrasonography / methods