Liver scan will detect abnormalities such as the following:
- Liver can be enlarged if there is a presence of mass, tumour, cysts, inflammation or congestion.
- Liver cysts present as well defined and contain fluid, if found. They are usually benign but can be parasitic or malignant too.
Cyst nature could be confirmed with addittional diagnostics such as CT or MRI.
- Liver masses or tumours represent growth within liver and can be bening or malignant (primary or metastatic from other malignant tumours).
- There are also benign and common liver changes such as Hemangiomas.
- Liver scars and regeneration nodules are related to liver cirrhosis.
- Impaired blood flow, congestion or free fluid around liver can also be seen in cirrhosis.
- Fatty liver is a condition where liver shows increased exhogenicity and and appears lighter on scan than it should be.
- Elevated Liver function tests are usual reasons for liver ultrasound referrals.
Liver can be congested and bile ducts enlarged if gallbladder does not function properly if there are gallstones within gallbladder or blocking canal that drains it.
In severe liver disease there is usually ascites- free fluid in abdominal cavity.