Why ultrasound liver

Portal hypertension elevated blood pressure within the liver's circulation may be detected with a liver scan when more of the radionuclide is absorbed by the spleen rather than the liver. One to two times per month, Virtual Advisors receive a link to short, interactive surveys.

All responses are confidential. The amount of the radionuclide injected into your vein for the procedure is small enough that there is no need for precautions against radioactive exposure. The injection of the radionuclide may cause some slight discomfort.

Allergic reactions to the radionuclide are rare, but may occur. For some patients, having to lie still on the scanning table for the length of the procedure may cause some discomfort or pain. Patients who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dyes, or latex should notify their doctor.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your health care provider due to the risk of injury to the fetus from a liver scan.

If you are lactating, or breastfeeding, you should notify your health care provider due to the risk of contaminating breast milk with the radionuclide. There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure. Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the accuracy of a liver scan.

These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:. Presence of a radionuclide in the body from a previous nuclear medicine procedure within a certain period of time.

We will discuss other options with you and your doctor. A gown will be provided for you. Lockers are provided to secure your personal belongings. Please remove all piercings and leave all jewelry and valuables at home. The injection of the radiotracer may cause some slight discomfort. Fibrotic livers are stiffer and moves to a greater degree compared to normal livers.

The movement of fine vibration waves in the liver is imaged to create a visual map, or elastogram, that shows the stiffness or elasticity across the liver. Both ultrasound and MR elastography can detect increased stiffness of the liver caused by liver fibrosis earlier than other imaging tests and may eliminate the need for an invasive liver biopsy.

Liver biopsy is an image-guided procedure that removes a small sample of liver tissue using a needle. The sample is then examined under a microscope for signs of steatosis, inflammation and damage, and fibrosis. For example, therapies for NAFLD may include: dietary changes anti-inflammatory medications and medications for insulin resistance cholesterol and diabetes management exercise and weight loss eliminating alcohol use.

Send us your feedback Did you find the information you were looking for? Yes No. Area Code:. Phone no:. Radiologist prepping patient for abdominal ultrasound exam. View full size with caption. Sponsored By. Please note RadiologyInfo. Your child may be asked to change positions or hold his or her breath during the exam. An abdominal ultrasound is not invasive or painful. No anesthesia is given during this test. Your child may report that the gel feels cold when it is first applied.

Holding the transducer tightly against the skin produces a slight sensation of pressure. The pressure can feel uncomfortable when, for instance, it is on a full bladder. The entire procedure takes about thirty minutes. When the abdomen ultrasound is finished, you may remove the gel from your child's chest and resume normal activities. Unless your child is an inpatient at the hospital for another reason, there is no hospital stay involved. No complications have been reported as a result of this procedure.

A radiologist analyzes and interprets the images created by the ultrasound. He or she then gives a report to your child's doctor. The doctor will make recommendations for treatment based on this report.

You should have your child's results between one and several days after the test. Get the Pediatric Ultrasound Patient Procedure. Learn about other Liver Transplant Tests. Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood.

Our main hospital address is:. Accessed Dec. The progression of liver disease. American Liver Foundation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease adult.

Mayo Clinic. Goldman L, et al. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; Feldman M, et al. Hepatic drug metabolism and liver disease caused by drugs. Saunders Elsevier; Alcoholic liver disease adult. Alcohol and public health: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A. Liver disease caused by anesthetics, chemicals, toxins, and herbal preparations. Mundi MS, et al.