What Does It Mean When The Ultrasound Shows Enlarged Liver But Nothing Focal And Orthograde PV Flow And The Fibroscan Says Cirrhosis?

Posted on Fri, 11 May 2018

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

Fri, 11 May 2018 Answered on

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Ultrasound shows enlarged liver but nothing focal and orthograde PV flow. No biliary abnormality. The spleen is 14.8cms is enlarged. No ascites.
2
(25/8/17)
I’m confused because on another report it says cirrhosis confirmed on fibroscan. (2/8/17)
Blood results are all normal

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for query sir,
Have gone through your question and i appreciate your concerns.

Liver biopsy has been considered to be the most reliable method for diagnosing liver fibrosis/cirrhosis; however, liver biopsy cannot reflect the conditions of the entire liver, due to the small size of the tissue samples.
The detection capacity of Fibroscan is ~10-fold greater compared to a normal ultrasound.Probe used for fibroscan are highly sensitive much more then that of a normal ultrasound.The accuracy of plain usg may be influenced by various factors , including necroinflammatory activity, obesity, ascites, extrahepatic cholestasis and sampling location however a fibroscan acts much better as compared to USG in same conditions.
In most of the studies Fibroscan was positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis measured by liver biopsy.

However as there is a confusion i would suggest you to go for a MRI liver.
If its normal no need to worry.
Won't recommend biopsy as it is invasive procedure.
Hope i answered your query well and with facts.
Please feel free to follow up.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (23 minutes later)

Does milk thistle help in cases of enlarged liver and or cirrhosis?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
There are few evidences that sylimarin is a good liver rejenuvator. Though whether its really useful or not is still not proved by any large scale trails.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)

Can the liver repair itself - even if cirrhosis is present
I have no jaundice, no ascites and my recent blood results are normal

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Its impossible sir,
Cirrhosis is end stage of liver disease and everything would be deranged.
There is some thing grossly wrong with reports.
Cirrhosis develops over years and once you have complete cirrhosis liver transplant is the only option.
Liver can regenerate itself but to a extent only.Cirrhosis is something very different.Its terminal stage of liver failure.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (17 hours later)

So if cirrhosis was diagnosed - I would have jaundice, ascites and deranged blood results ? This is all very concerning and worrying. I really don't know what to do now

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Yes dear patient,
Cirrhosis is terminal end stage liver disease.
Flapping tremors raised ammonia levels ascitis and a number of symptoms would be there.Blood reports would be deranged.PT/INR would be deranged.
Get a MRI scan done.
Very likely it would be normal or may be will show grade1 or 2 liver disease.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D