What Does This Liver Ultrasound Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2015

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

Tue, 4 Aug 2015 Answered on

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Liver Question?

Hi,

I had an ultrasound a year and a half ago for something non-liver related and on the report this came back - "The liver is unremarkable in size and is mildly and diffusely heterogenous in echogenicity - Heterogenous liver echotexture c/w mild fatty infiltration".

I spoke to my Dr at the time who said that this could be caused by an number of things and don't really worry about it. I am probably about 10-15 pounds over weight and do now drink very moderately (about 6 drinks a week).

My question is really wanting an opinion. I would like to be able to still enjoy wine or beer occasionally but am worried that it will harm my liver. I know technically the answer would be no alcohol, but is it okay in moderation?? Dr's seem to have differing advice from no alcohol to just take it easy.

Also, is what I have likely to be NAFLD or NASH? And if I completely stopped drinking and lost a bit of weight would I be able to reverse the Liver. Or am I just worrying way too much?

Thx.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

First of all is essential that you repeat the examinations. Your last examinations were done 1.5 years ago and since then to many things may havet changed.

If I was your doctor I would recommend to do the following examinations for a proper evaluation of liver function:
- blood work including liver and pancreas enzymes.
- plasma activated prothrombin time and I.N.R
- abdominal ultrasound
- upper endoscopy

This examinations will determine if you have NAFLD, XXXXXXX or more severe liver cirrhosis. Moreover these will determine if it's necessarily to completely stop alcohol. Also these exams are essential for determining that stopping alcohol will result in a complete recovery or just will stop the things to get worse.

Only if you have documemted liver cirrhosis you should absolutely stop drinking (abstain from alcohol ), otherwise you may drink moderately (don't exceed one glass of vine per day).

On special occasions you may drink something more but this shouldn't be the rule (this is an exception for special occasions such as party, wedings etc.)

Hopethis was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (2 hours later)

Thank you.

I did have a follow up CT scan form my abdomen 6 months later for something else but nothing came back regarding my liver would a CT Scan pick up something like cirrhosis). I also have regular blood and liver tests as I take Lipitor and my results are always perfect.

Can you confirm that it would be unlikely with just a mildly fatty liver and moderate drinking that I would have cirrhosis now?

Thanks for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

After reviewing your new data I would like to say that for the moment there's no signs for liver cirrhosis. So you may continue with mild to moderate drinkiny (one drink per day) as I already suggested.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar