Improvement in the routine diagnostic assessment of the liver by high-resolution sonography: an analysis of 999 cases

Latest developments in the imaging of fibrotic liver disease

According to the World Health Organization, liver cirrhosis accounted for 1.8% of all deaths in Europe, causing about 170,000 deaths per year. Approximately 29 million persons in the EU suffer from chronic liver disease and this trend is on the rise. Liver disease is the EU's fifth most common cause of death accounting for at least one in six deaths. Early detection and monitoring of fibrosis has the potential to direct management of these chronic liver diseases and avert morbidity and mortality. Although the available techniques are in their infancy and the very early stages of fibrosis are difficult to detect, there have been significant advances in imaging over the last decade that has resulted in the use of these new imaging techniques being introduced into the patient pathway. This review explores the accuracies of these imaging techniques, their role in the management of patients, and the potential for the future.

Small liver nodule detection with a high-frequency transducer in patients with chronic liver disease: report of 3 cases

We report 3 cases in which small liver lesions were revealed on sonography with the supplemental use of a high-frequency transducer. In all 3 cases, the patients had cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. The lesions were not seen on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Sonography plays a pivotal role in surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma and, with modern transducer technology, may be the first imaging modality to show an early small tumor. A more thorough search for focal liver lesions with adjunctive use of high-frequency transducers may prolong the examination time but can improve surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma.