J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2002 Sep;21(3):177-180.

Change of Liver Echogenicity in Chronic Renal Failure: Correlation with Serologic Test and Pathologic Findings

• Eun HW
• Cho KS
• Kim JH
• Kim JK

Abstract

PURPOSE: To correlate serologic test and pathologic findings with change of hepatic parenchymal echogenicity on ultrasound (US) in patients with chronic renal failure.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1995 to April 2000, among eight hundred eighty four patients with kidney transplantation due to chronic renal failure, sixty seven patients who underwent US-guided liver biopsy were selected. Change of liver echogenicity on US was analyzed , and this change was compared with serologic test and pathologic findings.
RESULTS
Among sixty seven patients, pathologic finding of thirty four patients with the normal liver echogenicity on US revealed normal in 15 patients (44%), viral hepatitis in 18 (53%), and liver cirrhosis in one patient (3%). Meanwhile, twenty seven patients with chronic liver disease on US were pathologically confirmed as normal in 13 patients (48%), viral hepatitis in 11 (40%), liver cirrhosis in four patients (11%); six patients with cirrhotic change on US, liver cirrhosis in four patients (67%) and viral hepatitis in two patients (33%). Serologic test of thirty four patients with the normal liver echogenicity on US showed positive HBs Ag in 17 patients (50%), positive anti-HCV Ab in 11 (32%), positive in both HBs Ag and anti-HCV Ab in one (3%), and normal result in five patients (15%).
CONCLUSION
In patients with chronic renal failure, it is not enough to determine the presence of liver disease only based on change of echogenicity on US. A careful correlation with serologic test and, if needed, pathologic confirmation are recommended for the accurate preoperative evaluation of the liver.

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Hepatitis
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic*
Kidney Transplantation
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Diseases
Liver*
Serologic Tests*
Ultrasonography