Ultrasound in the detection of chronic liver disease (the “bright liver”)

Abstract

The association of high amplitude echoes returned from the liver and advanced cirrhosis is well recognized. A bright liver echo pattern exists in relatively mild cases of cirrhosis and in other chronic liver diseases. The pattern is very characteristic but non-specific in pathological terms. A small pilot study was undertaken based on the observation of this characteristic ultrasound appearance to assess its clinical significance. Recognition of this pattern has always corresponded with liver disease of 1 of 5 types: cirrhosis, fatty infiltration, portal tract fibrosis, severe hepatitis or longstanding congestive cardiac failure. Although the use of ultrasound appears to be sensitive in the detection of generalized liver disease, it is relatively non-specific.