Ultrasound findings of the liver of Wilson's disease

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate and correlate US findings of liver involvement of Wilson's disease Materials and Methods US findings of liver in fourteen patients (9 male, 5 female, between the age of 13-55, median age of 32) with clinically proven Wilson's disease were evaluated. CT and MRI were done in 9 and 5 patients. US findings were correlated with CT and MR images. Results Sonographic features of liver of Wilson's disease included cirrhosis in 8 patients, cirrhosis with normal caudate to right lobe ratio in 7 patients, increased echogenicity in 2 patients, contour irregularity in 8, increased periportal thickness in 11 patients, increased ligamentum teres thickness in 7 patients, heterogeneous parenchyma in 14 patients, hypoechoic nodules in 5 patients, multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic nodules (mixed pattern) in 5 patients, evidence of perihepatic fat layer in 8 patients. Conclusion Liver involvement of Wilson's disease could be characterized by multiple nodular lesions in the liver, presence of perihepatic fat layer and cirrhosis without caudate lobe hypertrophy which is different from other types of cirrhosis. US could be used to detect early parenchymal changes of liver injury in the progress of Wilson's disease.