What Does "Mildly Coarsened Hepatic Parenchymal Echotexture" Mean?

Posted on Wed, 19 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 Answered on

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I had an abdominal ultra sound and it showed Mildly coarsened hepatic parenchymal echotexture. I am assuming this is of the liver? All blood work is normal. What does this mean?

ultra sound report says:

APPT BY PT...MEDICARE
US ABDOMEN COMPLETE 76700
ACCESSION NUMBER 0000 11/17/2014 10:00 AM

INDICATION: Abdominal pain

COMPARISON: 6/19/9

FINDINGS:

LIVER:
Size: Normal, 14.2 cm.
Echogenicity: Mildly coarsened

BILE DUCTS: Intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts are nondilated;
Common bile duct measures 0.5 cm
GALLBLADDER: No shadowing calculi, wall thickening or pericholecystic
fluid. No sonographic Murphy's sign per technologist
PANCREAS: Normal
RIGHT KIDNEY: Measures 9.7 x 5.8 x 4.3 cm. No hydronephrosis, solid or
cystic masses, shadowing calculi or perinephric fluid.
LEFT KIDNEY: Measures 10.0 x 5.8 x 5.5 cm. No hydronephrosis, solid or
cystic masses, shadowing calculi or perinephric fluid.
SPLEEN: Measures 6.0 x 2.5 x 3.1 cm. Homogeneous echotexture.
AORTA AND INFERIOR VENA CAVA: Imaged portions are normal
OTHER: There is no upper abdominal ascites.

IMPRESSION
IMPRESSION:
1. Mildly coarsened hepatic parenchymal echotexture, nonspecific.
2. No acute abnormalities seen.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Mild coarse echoetexture of liver can be normally seen.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

Coarse echotexture of liver is generally due to liver parenchymal disease. Normal echotexture of liver is homogeneous in nature.
However, mild coarse echo texture of liver can be seen in normal patients. In these conditions, it needs clinical correlation and blood tests.
It is good that blood tests and other findings are normal,so findings can be assumed as normal.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (53 minutes later)

Dear Dr. Kumar/Bhushan,

Thank you very much for your reply. It was very helpful.

The only question I have remaining is do you feel I should follow up with a Gastroenterologist? Does the Radiologist make this recommendation typically or the primary physician?

Kindest regards,
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No urgency

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

I don't think there is urgency to consult gastroenterologist since blood reports and clinical findings are normal.
Comment of mild coarse echotexture of liver is a subjective assessment and there are chances of variation.
You can discuss it with your physician.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju