Hepatic Trauma and Liver Disorders

Flashcards covering key concepts related to hepatic trauma and liver disorders.

Hepatic Trauma

Resulting from injury; appears sonographically as a complex mass with decreased hematocrit.

Cirrhosis

Defined as hepatocyte death, fibrosis, and necrosis of the liver with regenerative nodules; small hyperechoic nodular liver on ultrasound.

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia

Second most common benign liver mass; may contain a central scar; usually hypoechoic.

Cavernous Hemangioma

Most common benign liver tumor; appears hyperechoic on ultrasound.

Caput Medusa

Distended collateral veins visualized on the abdominal wall; associated with portal hypertension.

Echinococcal (Hydatid) Cyst

Parasitic infection caused by echinococcus; may show the 'water lily' sign; common in sheep-raising areas.

Liver Cell Adenoma

Benign liver tumor more common in women; associated with oral contraceptive use and von Gierke’s disease; may rupture and bleed.

Focal Fatty Sparing

Areas of normal parenchyma spared from fatty infiltration; typically hypoechoic around the gallbladder.

Hepatic Abscess

Collection of pus between the diaphragm and liver (subphrenic space); appears complex on ultrasound.

Hepatic Candidiasis

Fungal infection caused by Candida species; occurs in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Most common primary malignant tumor of the liver; may appear as a solitary mass or multiple nodules; can invade hepatic veins and cause Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Acute Hepatitis

Inflammatory liver disease; may show the 'starry night' appearance; liver may be enlarged and hypoechoic.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome

Obstruction or thrombosis of the hepatic veins or IVC; associated with hepatomegaly and ascites.

Von Gierke’s Disease

Most common glycogen storage disease; associated with liver cell adenoma.

Fatty Liver

Acquired metabolic disorder resulting in accumulation of triglycerides within hepatocytes; enlarged, hyperechoic liver with poor vessel visualization.

Portal Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure within the portal venous system; leads to hepatofugal flow, ascites, and collateral vein formation.

Riedel’s Lobe

Inferior projection of the right lobe of the liver; normal anatomical variant that can mimic hepatomegaly.