Abdominal ultra sound scan

[DQ33]

My brother was diagnosed in 2020 with liver cirrhosis he had a large amount of fluid drained and was in hospital for a couple of weeks. He abstained from alcohol for a couple of months but has from around Jan 21 consistently drunk vodka approx a bottle a day. His astices has since been controlled by diuretics. He does not work, sleep patterns are erratic and extremely fatigued. He has regular bouts of vomiting and very little motivation. He was admitted in March for a week as he had a seizure.

Question …a recent abdominal ultrasound scan has come back with the results saying that it has shown liver cirrhosis but no abnormal areas within the liver and that the result is reassuring.

Is this normal? Is it now compensated?

I find it hard to believe that it is reassuring. He is 45. His mobility is limited and can be shaky although he manages to walk to the local shop. He does little else. Often has aches and pains and generally has poor health. He would be unable to work.

[AyrshireK]

What's reassuring from the scan is that it's not picked up any abnormal changes in the liver - no bumps, lumps or cancer (which is primarily what the 6 monthly scan is looking for).

I don't think it's giving much more information than that - meds must be doing their trick controlling ascites if no fluid was seen on scan.

Katie

[Roy1955]

Katie's correct, all the scan is saying is that he does not have liver cancer.......... YET!

Reassuring only refers to cancer.

Symptoms and his general health say his liver is decompensated not the scans.

It does not mean his liver is going to last, he is still very likely to die soon because of liver failure.

He is 2 years into a 1 to 5 year life expectancy illness and is going downhill fast.

If he quit drinking he would greatly improve his chances of living a lot longer.