Ultrasonographic changes of early liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B: a longitudinal study.
Ultrasonography of prospectively followed chronic hepatitis B patients who developed liver cirrhosis were reevaluated in order to identify the ultrasonographic changes of early cirrhosis. Ultrasonographic features of 29 patients before and after cirrhosis were as follows: portal vein diameter--1.20 cm/1.29 cm (NS); cirrhosis score--5.69/7.52 (p < 0.01); spleen size index--21.99 cm2/25.84 cm2 (NS). The result suggests that ultrasonographic diagnosis of early cirrhosis is not easy on a single occasion; however, the score system method is helpful in longitudinal follow-up chronic hepatitis patients. A careful comparison of hepatic parenchymal and surface changes are mandatory.
Liver Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
D Y
DY
Lin
I S
IS
Sheen
C T
CT
Chiu
S M
SM
Lin
Y C
YC
Kuo
Y F
YF
Liaw
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography