Hepatitis C ultrasound

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Ultrasound may reveal no findings in early HCV infection. Changes in contour, nodularity, echogenic and vascular changes may all be signs of development of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Frequent sonography may be helpful among patients with chronic hepatitis C to monitor for potential complications.

Ultrasound[edit | edit source]

There are no specific findings on ultrasound for hepatitis C virus. Nonetheless, ultrasound may show findings consistent with complications induced by the disease, namely cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Frequent sonography may be helpful among patients with chronic hepatitis C to monitor for potential complications.

Ultrasound Findings of Cirrhosis[edit | edit source]

Ultrasound findings are as follows:

• Hepatomegaly
• Changes in liver contour
• Nodularity
• Increase in echogenecity from focal fatty infiltration
• Vascular changes:
  • Flow across both portal and systemic circulation increases
  • Resistive index increases in end stage liver disease
  • Vessels appear elongated and tortuous, called "corkscrewing" of the vessels
  • Doppler ultrasound may show spontaneous shunts
• Splenomegaly and collaterals from portal hypertension may be noted.

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Ultrasound Findings of Hepatocellular Carcinoma^[1][2][edit | edit source]

• Presence of dysplastic nodule(s).
• Hypoechoic lesion (small) or mixed echogenicity (large).
• Evidence of portal vein, hepatic vein, and inferior vena cava invasions.

References[edit | edit source]

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