Ultrasound Imaging of Liver Abnormalities

• Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of bile duct cancer.
• Sonographic halo sign is used in various situations, including hypoechoic halo sign in liver metastases.
• The resistive index (RI) is a Doppler parameter used for hepatic arterial evaluation, and is most often assessed during liver transplant evaluation.
• The biliary tree is a system of vessels that directs bile secretions from the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the duodenum.
• The common bile duct (CBD) is a significant component of the biliary tree.
• Ultrasound is used to assess the biliary tract, including the CBD and extrahepatic bile duct.
• Normal CBD diameter is between 1.8mm to 5.9mm, but 65% of study participants had a common bile duct diameter of less than 4mm.
• Choledocholithiasis is the presence of gallstones within the bile ducts.
• Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor arising from the biliary tree, excluding the gallbladder or ampulla of Vater, and is the second most common primary hepatobiliary malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that can hold about 50 milliliters of bile and is best viewed in the left lateral decubitus position.
• Ultrasound is used to assess the gallbladder, including wall thickness, cystic duct, and neck, body, and fundus.
• Patient preparation for gallbladder ultrasound includes fasting for 6 hours and positioning supine, left lateral decubitus, and erect.

Test your knowledge of ultrasound imaging of liver abnormalities with this quiz covering focal and diffuse liver lesions, including hyperechoic and hypoechoic liver lesions, hepatic cysts, hepatocellular adenomas, and more.