Liver sensitivity of CT scans

[Pellegrino]

Hello, I was wondering if people had any insight into how sensitive abdominal CT scans are for liver disease and in terms of identifying cirrhosis. Many thanks.

[AyrshireK]

Cirrhosis can be diagnosed by radiology testing such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or via a needle biopsy of the liver.

If your doctor suspects you have cirrhosis, one or more of the following imaging tests may be performed:

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan: This procedure combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple, digital images or pictures of the liver. It can help determine the severity of cirrhosis as well as other liver diseases.

This all from a radiology website :- radiologyinfo.org/en/info.c...

CT is probably only second to MRI in quality of image and reliability of results.

Katie

[Pellegrino in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie, I had a general abdominal scan so I'm unsure if that would affect the results.

[AyrshireK in reply to Pellegrino]

CT basically takes slices through your body so an abdominal CT will have taken slices right through everyone of your abdominal organs so will have given a very thorough picture of the state of your liver. During my hubbies liver disease he has only ever had ultrasound (which can see cirrhosis) and CT scan during transplant assessment. He has never had a fibroscan nor an MRI until he had a suspicious mass in his liver.

Katie

[Pellegrino in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks for that Katie -- so a CT would be reasonably thorough for cirrhosis?

[AyrshireK in reply to Pellegrino]

Very.

[Mama41]

I've been told MRI is the best method of scanning for the liver..hope they are right because I have 3 or 4 a year 😊😊.

It may be different for cirrhosis though so maybe ask your consultant or CNS if the CT is the best scan for your situation.