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A liver ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the liver, helping doctors diagnose conditions such as cirrhosis or cancer. Patients should avoid fatty foods before the procedure, which is painless and takes 30-60 minutes. A radiologist can interpret the results during the same appointment and may recommend further tests if abnormalities are found.
A liver ultrasound is a medical procedure in which sound waves are transmitted to form images that are projected onto a video monitor, allowing doctors to view inside the body and see images of the liver. The liver is responsible for filtering waste and toxins, as well as absorbing nutrients in food; therefore, a condition that affects its proper functioning can become fatal without treatment.
An ultrasound may be done to check for abnormalities, such as masses or discoloration, which may indicate a liver condition, including cirrhosis or cancer. The procedure can also allow a doctor to find out how serious a condition is and to determine the best course of treatment. Because it is thought to be relatively quick and noninvasive compared to other tests, ultrasound is often one of the first procedures used to diagnose a liver condition.
If the body is in the process of digesting foods high in fat, it can affect the accuracy of a liver ultrasound, so only fat-free or low-fat foods are generally recommended the day before the procedure. A patient will generally be advised not to eat at least eight hours before the procedure to ensure that the digestive process does not obscure the appearance of the liver on the ultrasound. No other additional preparation is usually required before the procedure.
A liver ultrasound is typically performed by a radiologist, a doctor who is experienced in reading the images created during the procedure. A gel is first applied to the abdomen to ensure that sound waves are transmitted as accurately as possible. A small device known as a transducer is then gently pushed down onto the abdomen and moved to create sound waves and form an image that can be seen on a video monitor. During the procedure, the patient may be asked to lie on their back or side so the radiologist can get as clear a view of the liver as possible. The patient may also be asked to hold their breath periodically, which can briefly displace the liver under the ribs and make it more visible on the ultrasound image.
The procedure is usually completed within 30-60 minutes. It commonly does not cause any pain or tenderness for the patient, either during or after. A radiologist will often interpret the results of a liver ultrasound during the same appointment it was performed, and if visual abnormalities are found in the images, he or she may recommend more imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) or MRI scans magnetic imaging (MRI), blood tests, or a biopsy, to more conclusively diagnose liver abnormalities.
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