Liver Ultrasound: How to Prepare and What to Expect

You might be wondering what the process involves. In this guide, we’ll explore the conditions that can be detected through the scan, how to prepare for it, when to expect your results, and tips for understanding the details in your report.

While this guide offers helpful insights for interpreting your ultrasound, the official interpretation will come from your doctor during a follow-up appointment or phone call. However, if you prefer quicker access to your final report, PocketHealth provides secure, instant access as soon as it’s available. This allows you to review your report in advance and prepare any questions for your follow-up appointment.

 

 

What is an ultrasound of the liver?

A liver ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses ultrasonic waves to create pictures of your organs and other internal structures. High-frequency sound waves bounce off your internal tissues, producing images that the technician captures on a screen and then sends to a radiologist for interpretation. In this case, the focus is on the liver area.

 

What is a liver ultrasound used for?

Liver ultrasounds are used to help diagnose liver conditions or to evaluate the liver’s function, position, and overall health. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as jaundice or upper right stomach pain, or if lab work indicates possible liver abnormalities, this ultrasound can help narrow down the causes and assist the physician with a diagnosis.

A liver ultrasound can help identify several conditions, including:

• Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver caused by drugs, alcohol, genetic conditions or viruses.
• Gallstones: Abnormally hardened bile deposits stored within the gallbladder.
• Alcohol related liver disease: Also called ARLD, this is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, which can damage the liver and cause illness.
• Liver Cancer: Cancer of the liver.
• Fatty liver disease: When too much fat accumulates in the liver. This is usually related to conditions such as diabetes, obesity or high levels of triglycerides.
• Liver fibrosis: When prolonged inflammation and damage cause scarring to the liver itself. This can be caused by a number of liver diseases and conditions.
• Liver cirrhosis: The same as liver fibrosis, but this term refers to late stages of this condition when the scarring is severe and especially problematic.
• Liver infections, blockages, disorders etc: Various physical ailments or malfunctions can be seen.

 

What are the different types of liver ultrasounds?

There are several types of liver ultrasounds, and your doctor will recommend the method that best fits your individual needs. Here are the major types to be aware of:

• Standard liver ultrasound: This is a type of abdominal ultrasound. It is sometimes referred to as an upper right quadrant ultrasound because this area encompasses your liver and other organs of the biliary system, such as the bile ducts and gallbladder.
• Elastography liver ultrasound: Also called transient elastography, this scan measures the stiffness of your liver to assess scarring (fibrosis), if applicable. A specialized transducer measures the vibration speeds as they move through your liver. Faster speeds can indicate fibrosis.
• Contrast-enhanced liver ultrasound: A contrast agent may be injected into your vein to improve the visibility of liver lesions, which are abnormal growths that may be malignant or benign. Not all facilities use this type of ultrasound, and it’s not as common as contrast enhancements in other imaging techniques, like MRIs.
• Vascular liver ultrasound: This scan evaluates the blood vessels in your liver, helping to assess blood flow. It’s often referred to as a duplex ultrasound because it combines standard ultrasound scans with Doppler ultrasound scans, which show the speed and direction of blood flow.

 

How to prepare for a liver ultrasound?

Preparation for a liver ultrasound may vary depending on the type of scan you’re having. It’s a good idea to ask your doctor for specific instructions, such as whether you need to fast before your appointment or come with a full bladder. A full bladder may improve scan clarity in some cases, while in others, it might hinder the process. Here are some general tips for preparing:

• Inquire about fees: Consider asking the facility’s billing department ahead of time if there are any upfront fees. Some imaging centers require payment of your portion before the scan, so it’s helpful to know this in advance.
• Bring necessary documents: Don’t forget to bring your requisition form, health card, and identification to your appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothing: Opt for clothes that are easy to put on and take off, as you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. Wearing a two-piece outfit is also recommended to provide easy access to your abdomen without needing to change completely.

 

How is a liver ultrasound performed?

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or come in comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. Then, you will lie on a table while the ultrasound technician moves a wand-like tool called a transducer across your abdominal area. This device transmits images to the computer. A clear gel will also be applied to your abdomen to help the transducer glide more effectively and reduce acoustic impedance that could affect the quality of the ultrasound images. This is a non-invasive scan and takes an average of thirty minutes to complete.

Getting my results

Understandably, many patients are eager to receive and go over their liver ultrasound results. This section will discuss common questions regarding when to expect your results and who deciphers them.

When will I get my results?

Depending on the radiologist’s and your referring physician’s schedules, it may take up to a week or longer to receive your results, though this can vary by facility and situation. Most patients receive their results during their follow-up appointment with their doctor.

If you’d like to view your report before your appointment, PocketHealth provides faster access, allowing you to see the results as soon as they are officially uploaded. This gives you time to review the findings and prepare for your next medical visit. MyCare Navigator is especially helpful for offering personalized insights and identifying any recommended follow-up steps. It helps you formulate specific, relevant questions to ask your doctor, ensuring you make the most of your consultation.

 

 

Who interprets my results?

A radiologist, a specialist in diagnosing and assessing conditions through medical imaging, will interpret your ultrasound images. The radiologist’s findings will then be sent to your referring physician, who may provide additional insights or diagnostic interpretations based on your overall medical history.

Understanding my results

Although your doctor will provide an official explanation of your results, accessing your report before your appointment can give you an early glimpse. It’s common to find the medical terminology complex and confusing, but PocketHealth Report Reader makes it easier by offering clear, straightforward definitions for medical terms—simply tap or click on any underlined words to reveal their meaning. Meanwhile, this guide will briefly discuss some possible meanings found in liver ultrasound reports.

Normal vs abnormal liver ultrasound

Some common terminology for normal liver ultrasound results include:

• Liver is normal sized: Indicates no swelling found.
• No abnormal lesions or growths: Can indicate no tumors found.
• No blockages found: This can refer to no blockages in the gallbladder, ducts and veins within the liver. This also indicates no gallstones.
• No or little fatty deposits: Indicates you don’t have a fatty liver, or you improved if you previously had one.
• No or little scarring: This can indicate you don’t have liver fibrosis.

Common terminology you may find in abnormal liver ultrasound results:

• Fat deposits on the liver: Can indicate a fatty liver.
• A change in liver size: Can indicate swelling or possible infections, diseases or underlying conditions.
• Blockages: This could indicate blood vessels within the liver are blocked, such as from cardiovascular disease or infection. Gallstone blockages can also be seen.
• Scarring/fibrosis: This can signify possible liver damage from disease or excessive alcohol.
• Growths and lesions: This may indicate tumors or cysts, which are often benign, so try not to panic.
• Hypoechoic: Hypoechoic is a reference to the darkness and brightness of the tissue when the ultrasound waves bounce off of it. Hypoechoic is darker than surrounding structures and could indicate a mass or tumor, though it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cancerous. Some tissues and structures are naturally hypoechoic and don’t indicate any abnormalities.
• Additional blood vessels: When bile ducts and blood vessels are impaired, sometimes your body will make new ones to function. This is called collateral circulation.
• Ascites: This could indicate fluid build-up in your abdomen from liver disease.

 

Frequently asked questions

Here is a quick overview of some common questions regarding liver conditions and ultrasounds.

What will an ultrasound of your liver show?

It will show any unusual lesions or growths, fat deposits, swelling, scarring and various blockages. Additional tests, such as blood work or further imaging, can help your doctor narrow down the cause of any unusual findings. These scans can also be used to show improvements in your liver health, especially when compared to previous scans that indicated abnormalities.

Does fatty liver show up on ultrasound?

Yes, in many cases, fat deposits do show up on a liver ultrasound. If your doctor wants confirmation, they may pair this scan with blood work, an MRI or other imaging tests. Note that when a fatty liver is untreated and severe, it can lead to significant health issues in the future, especially when caused by alcohol.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver refers to the condition when it is not related to alcohol use and it is quite common. It’s estimated that up to a quarter of the population has a fatty liver to some degree, often without symptoms or notable problems, as long as the condition doesn’t become severe. Additionally, when caused by lifestyle factors, a fatty liver can often improve as lifestyle habits change.

What is the average cost of a liver ultrasound?

Depending on the complexity of the scan (such as with an elastography), prices may differ. Overall, prices can range from $500 to $2000 USD. The more complex the ultrasound type, such as contrast-enhanced or elastography, the more expensive it will likely be.

What are the common symptoms of liver problems?

Sometimes liver conditions don’t manifest with symptoms, especially in earlier stages. Other times, you may notice some of the following:

• Jaundice: When the whites of your eyes and skin take on a yellowish tinge.
• Fatigue: Feeling frequently tired.
• Dark urine: Bilirubin is a substance that appears in urine when the liver isn’t functioning well enough to clean it properly.
• Vomiting/nausea: This frequent nausea can also cause loss of appetite.
• Easily bruising: Damaged livers don’t make enough blood clotting proteins so you bruise easier.
• Abdominal pain: Especially if located in the upper right abdomen area.
• Swelling in lower extremities: This is called edema and can be caused by liver cirrhosis and fatty liver.
• Other symptoms: Because the liver is so linked to multiple functions of the body, the full list of possible symptoms is extensive. Some examples are fevers, trembling, shortness of breath, mental confusion etc.

If you’re experiencing any physical concerns, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with your doctor sooner rather than later. Depending on the cause and severity, there are fortunately multiple treatments and solutions for many liver conditions, especially if they are caught early.

Stay on top of your health with PocketHealth

Keeping track of your medical reports and ultrasound scans is simple with PocketHealth. All of your vital imaging is in one protected location and accessed anytime you need. When used in conjunction with your medical provider’s professional advice, it is a powerful tool to organize and understand the progress of your liver health.