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What Causes An Isoechoic Lesion In The Liver?

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Posted on Sat, 10 Sep 2016
Question: what is an isoechoic mass lesion in the left lobe of the liver? Can it be benign or malignant? All other signs normal
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Well defined lesions appearing homogeneously isoechocic are likely benign

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

An isoechoic lesion in liver means that there is some mass which is probably circumscribed and is similar in grey intensity to the rest of liver. More information is required on the size, shape, margins of the mass and any calcification or increased blood flow which can suggest a differentiation of the lesion. Lesions less than 1.5 cm are difficult to characterize as benign or malignant and most of these are thought to be benign.

Isoechoic is not enough to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. A well defined lesion with homogeneous echogenicity is usually benign and irregular lesions with heterogeneous areas and increased blood supply might be a malignancy. In people with fever and pain in abdomen recently, a heterogeneous lesion can also indicate an infection.

A triple phase CT scan is the preferred investigation for liver masses and that will give sufficient information on the likely possibilities of such a lesion through the enhancement features.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (13 minutes later)
Thanks Dr XXXXXXX Chail, additional information on the report states - The liver has heterogeneous echotexture with mild increase in echogenicity generally suggestive of a fatty replacement. The left lobe of the liver appears bulky and somewhat irregular in outline and it is difficult to outline a discrete lesion. The left lobe of the liver has an abnormal expanded appearance and an isoechoic mass lesion is a possibility. Does this additional information suggest anything more either way?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
There is no well visualized lesion but its important to confirm in CT scan

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

I understand you have fatty infiltration in the liver and this is a common condition. After reading through what is mentioned, there is no clear lesion in the lefty lobe of liver and in this situation it is possible that the fatty infiltration is itself appearing like a isoechoic mass. In your case, doing a triple phase CT scan is important to know if what is seen on ultrasound is really a lesion or due to irregular fatty infiltration in the left lobe of liver.

In my opinion, I suggest that you get the CT scan done as scheduled and most likely there will not be any obvious mass in the left lobe of liver.

However it is required to confirm if there is any such lesion which is not well visualized on ultrasound scan, though this is a less likely possibility.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (6 minutes later)
Thank you Dr XXXXXXX Chail - I have scheduled the CT scan
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for sending your query and do write back with more queries

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Good to know your CT scan is scheduled. Hoping that the CT scan results are good.

Please do write back with your CT scan results should you like to have more discussion.

Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Causes An Isoechoic Lesion In The Liver?

Brief Answer: Well defined lesions appearing homogeneously isoechocic are likely benign Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in. An isoechoic lesion in liver means that there is some mass which is probably circumscribed and is similar in grey intensity to the rest of liver. More information is required on the size, shape, margins of the mass and any calcification or increased blood flow which can suggest a differentiation of the lesion. Lesions less than 1.5 cm are difficult to characterize as benign or malignant and most of these are thought to be benign. Isoechoic is not enough to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. A well defined lesion with homogeneous echogenicity is usually benign and irregular lesions with heterogeneous areas and increased blood supply might be a malignancy. In people with fever and pain in abdomen recently, a heterogeneous lesion can also indicate an infection. A triple phase CT scan is the preferred investigation for liver masses and that will give sufficient information on the likely possibilities of such a lesion through the enhancement features. Hope your query is answered. Please do write back if you have any doubts. Regards,