Stories That Inspire Global Impact

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, often arising in the setting of chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. In abdominal ultrasound, HCC typically appears as a mass with varying echogenicity, from hypoechoic to hyperechoic, and can sometimes exhibit a mosaic pattern or a halo. Early detection via ultrasound surveillance is crucial for…

An abdominal hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor, a common finding in liver ultrasound. These non-cancerous growths are typically asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions. On ultrasound, they usually appear as well-defined, hyperechoic (bright) lesions, though their appearance can vary. Accurate identification is crucial for differential diagnosis in abdominal medical imaging.…

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gallbladder, a small organ beneath the liver. In abdominal ultrasound, these concretions appear as hyperechoic structures within the gallbladder lumen, often with posterior acoustic shadowing. Their presence is a common finding during abdominal scans, frequently associated with symptoms like right upper quadrant pain,…

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign liver lesion, often discovered incidentally during abdominal ultrasound examinations. Characterized by a central stellate scar and normal hepatocytes, it's a non-cancerous growth that typically requires no treatment. Ultrasound imaging is key for initial detection and monitoring, often presenting as a well-defined mass with variable echogenicity. Understanding FNH in…

In abdominal ultrasound, biliary sludge refers to a viscous mixture of particulate matter, primarily cholesterol crystals and calcium bilirubinate granules, suspended in bile. Often appearing as a mobile, non-shadowing layer within the gallbladder, it indicates impaired gallbladder motility or bile stasis. While sometimes asymptomatic, sludge can lead to biliary colic, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis, making its…

A liver abscess is a pus-filled lesion within the liver, typically resulting from bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infections. In abdominal ultrasound, it appears as a hypoechoic or anechoic mass with irregular borders, often exhibiting internal debris or gas. Early detection via medical ultrasound is crucial for guiding drainage and antibiotic therapy to prevent complications. Ultrasound…

The Sonographic Murphy’s sign is a key diagnostic finding in abdominal ultrasound, specifically indicating acute cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation. It is elicited when localized pain is reported by the patient upon direct pressure from the ultrasound probe over the visualized gallbladder. This sign helps differentiate acute cholecystitis from other causes of right upper quadrant pain.…

Gallbladder wall thickening, in abdominal ultrasound, indicates an abnormal increase in the thickness of the gallbladder wall, a key diagnostic finding in various medical conditions. This thickening can be a significant sign of inflammation, such as acute cholecystitis, where the gallbladder becomes acutely inflamed due to gallstones obstructing the cystic duct. Understanding this sonographic sign…

Pericholecystic fluid, in abdominal ultrasound, refers to an abnormal collection of fluid surrounding the gallbladder. Its presence is a key indicator of gallbladder inflammation, commonly seen in acute cholecystitis, a condition causing severe abdominal pain. Sonographers meticulously assess this fluid for its location, amount, and characteristics to aid in accurate diagnosis. This fluid accumulation is…