What it means
Cirrhosis develops over many years when ongoing liver damage is repaired with scar tissue. Common causes are alcohol, hepatitis B or C, and fatty liver disease. The scars divide the liver into small lumps of regrowing tissue (regenerative nodules). On imaging the surface looks bumpy, and some parts shrink while others, such as the caudate lobe, grow larger. Early cirrhosis can look normal on a scan.
When it matters
Scarring raises pressure in the main vein that feeds the liver (portal hypertension). This can enlarge the spleen and cause fluid in the belly (ascites) or swollen veins in the food pipe (varices). Cirrhosis also raises the risk of liver cancer, so an ultrasound every six months, often with a blood test, is the usual check. A liver specialist usually confirms the diagnosis, sometimes with a liver stiffness scan.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Does the scan show signs of raised pressure, such as fluid or a large spleen?
- How often should I have ultrasound checks for liver cancer?
- What is causing the scarring, and can it be stopped from getting worse?
