A liver ultrasound is one of a few tests your doctor can order if they want to check your liver.
An ultrasound scan (also known as sonography) is a noninvasive procedure. It captures live images of your organs using high frequency sound waves.
A liver ultrasound is an essential tool that helps doctors see your liver and its blood vessels in real time. It’s a type of abdominal ultrasound.
If your doctor has ordered a liver ultrasound, it might mean they want to confirm or rule out a liver condition.
Keep reading to learn what conditions a liver ultrasound can detect, what to expect from the procedure, how accurate it is, how much you might need to pay for it, and other useful information.
“Liver disease” is a general term that refers to a group of conditions affecting your liver. These conditions may have different causes, but all of them can damage your liver and affect your general health.
Some of the most common liver conditions are:
- hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver
- fatty liver disease, or a buildup of fat in the liver
- autoimmune liver disorders, which result from your immune system mistakenly attacking the cells in your liver
- liver cancer
- liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure, which mean scarring and functional damage from liver disease
Doctors usually recommend liver ultrasounds for the following reasons:
- if you show symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice or pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen (where the liver is located)
- if you have
high liver enzymeson a blood test called the liver function test
- as a screening tool for liver conditions
The purpose of a liver ultrasound is to visualize your liver and record its blood flow. This helps doctors confirm or rule out liver conditions.
Liver ultrasounds don’t usually require special preparation, but your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything several hours before the procedure.
A liver ultrasound typically takes no more than 15 minutes.
After the ultrasound is done, a doctor will check the ultrasound images. They will look for the following signs of liver disease:
- liver inflammation, a sign of hepatitis
- a buildup of fat associated with fatty liver disease
- masses or lesions, which can indicate liver cancer
- liver stiffness, a sign of fibrosis or cirrhosis (the final stage of fibrosis)
A liver ultrasound is a very useful tool in identifying certain types of liver disease. It’s often the first test your doctor will order if they suspect a liver condition. It’s a quick, safe, painless, and relatively inexpensive test.
However, a liver ultrasound isn’t a definitive diagnostic tool. Your doctor will most likely order additional tests, like a liver biopsy, to further evaluate your liver health. In fact, according to
But newer research indicates liver ultrasound is able to accurately detect fatty liver disease.
On average, you can expect to pay between $100 and $1,000 out of pocket. The good news is that most insurance providers cover this procedure.
Liver ultrasound costs will vary based on:
- where you live
- whether you have medical insurance
- the type of ultrasound
How do you diagnose fatty liver disease?
A doctor can diagnose fatty liver disease using a combination of the following tests:
- liver ultrasound
- CT or MRI scans of the abdomen
- transient elastography (also known as FibroScan), which assesses liver stiffness
- magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), which combines MRI with low frequency sound waves to create a visual map showing liver stiffness
Can you get an ultrasound for alcohol liver disease?
Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is liver damage caused by chronic, heavy alcohol use. It causes liver inflammation and scarring. It eventually leads to cirrhosis.
Liver ultrasound is one of the tests used to diagnose ARLD. Other tests may include:
- complete blood count (CBC)
- liver function test
- CT or MRI scans
- liver biopsy
Is there an ultrasound for liver disease in dogs?
Similar to humans, abdominal ultrasounds are
Symptoms of liver disease in pets can be subtle but may include:
- poor appetite
- orange urine
- weight loss
- excessive drinking or excessive urinating
- light colored stool
Can abdominal ultrasound check for chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance?
Certain types of liver disease can increase your risk of developing liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of that, doctors recommend regular screening for HCC in people with the following liver conditions: cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D. The
A liver ultrasound is likely the first test your doctor will order if they suspect a liver condition. This procedure is quick, safe, painless, and relatively inexpensive. However, the definite diagnosis of your condition may require additional testing.