Can an MRI detect cirrhosis of the liver?
Basic imaging diagnosis of liver cirrhosis has developed over the last few decades, enabling early detection of morphological changes of the liver using ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods are accurate for diagnosis of advanced liver cirrhosis.
What does cirrhosis look like on an MRI?
At MR imaging, cirrhotic livers show changed morphologic features, which may include irregular contours, atrophy of certain segments (usually segment IV), peripheral atrophy, and hypertrophy of some segments such as the caudate lobe and the adjacent portion of the right lobe (Fig 4).
What is nodules in liver cirrhosis?
In the early stages of cirrhosis, the liver may contain nonregenerative nodules of hepatocellular tissue carved out by bridging fibrosis. Such nodules may resemble regenerative nodules at gross pathologic evaluation; however, because they lack regenerative features, they are not classified as regenerative.
What does nodular liver surface mean?
A nodular aspect of the liver surface results from the effects of fibrosis and the regenerative nodules on the capsule. This is a reliable sign of fibrosis, though it is subjective.
Should I worry about liver nodules?
Liver lesions are abnormal growths that may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous. Benign lesions occur for a variety of reasons and are typically not cause for concern. Liver cancer is less common but more serious.
How often is liver cirrhosis misdiagnosed?
In our study of patients with HCC and cirrhosis, 50% of patients with cirrhosis were not diagnosed, with a significant under-diagnosis of older patients.
What causes a nodule in the liver?
Non-malignant causes of liver nodules include cysts (simple cysts and multiple cysts typically associated with polycystic kidney disease), hepatic adenomas, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), hemangiomas, regenerative nodules, and various infections, including bacterial liver abscesses and infections secondary to …