ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) Practice Test

What ultrasound finding might be observed in a patient with chronic liver disease?

1. An enlarged liver or abnormalities in hepatic texture

2. Only fluid accumulation in the abdomen

3. Gallstones and fatty liver changes

4. Normal hepatic boundaries

The correct answer is: An enlarged liver or abnormalities in hepatic texture

In a patient with chronic liver disease, ultrasound findings often reveal an enlarged liver, which may be accompanied by abnormalities in hepatic texture. Chronic liver disease can lead to various structural changes in the liver, including parenchymal alterations that result in a coarse or heterogeneous echogenic pattern. An enlarged liver, or hepatomegaly, signifies an increase in liver size due to several factors, such as inflammation, fibrosis, or fatty infiltration, which are common in chronic liver conditions. These changes can enhance the reflection and scattering of ultrasound waves, highlighting the altered texture of the liver compared to normal hepatic tissue. Other potential ultrasound findings associated with chronic liver disease may include the presence of cirrhosis-related nodularity or portal hypertension features. However, the key aspect of this finding is the combination of enlargement and abnormal texture, which are reliable indicators of chronic liver pathology.