Misdiagnosed with cirrhosis?

[Linakes]

Has anyone been misdisiagnosed with cirrhosis?(ct scan)

[mtk0925]

from what I read it can be hard to diagnose just via scan… a biopsy should be done if suspected to confirm the scan dx

[LorraineLouise in reply to mtk0925]

yes not only scan and labs. A biopsy of liver must be done to determine cirrhosis and its cause

[AyrshireK]

Sometimes the liver damage caused by cirrhosis is so obvious on a scan that is sufficient to confirm a diagnosis - my hubby was diagnosed with cirrhosis via ultrasound (plus symptoms) and only had a liver biopsy to ascertain cause since he had no obvious lifestyle issues that could cause liver damage nor anything definitive showing in bloods. His liver is clearly cirrhotic and can be seen that way even on ultrasound - he's never had a CT or MRI to confirm cirrhosis (only to check for other issues).

Many people do not need a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of cirrhosis.

Katie

[Linakes in reply to AyrshireK]

Mine says "slightly heterogenous enhancement". It doesnt say its cirrhosis, its listed as non-specific. I had twi ultrasounds after that that were normal, so i dont know what to think..

[AyrshireK in reply to Linakes]

Just means you've got some changes in the texture of the liver and it's not smooth all the way through. This can mean a bit of fibrosity or some fatty change. Have you got any obvious risk factors for liver ill health or any symptoms? What caused them to run the test in the first place?

If it isn't full on cirrhosis then if they can identify what has caused the changes and that can be treated either via treatment or indeed lifestyle changes if required then you should be able to reverse any minor changes in the liver.

A fibroscan might be a good scan to have since it will give two figures - one for CAP which identifies the degree (if any) fatty change in the liver and the kPa figure which shows if the liver has any degree of fibrosity.

Katie

[Linakes in reply to AyrshireK]

Yes, i have problems with alcohol. I wonder is it possible to misread a ct acan. You cant see cirrhosis on ct unless it advanced. Wouldn't there be another changes as well?I dont get why its listef as non-specific. Radiologist who tok ultradound after that said he didnt cirrhosis neither in ultrasound nor ct scan.

[AyrshireK in reply to Linakes]

Cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of fibrosis - you can miss early fibrosis not generally full on cirrhosis. It sounds like yours HAS picked up these earlier changes. The fact you've not had a diagnosis of cirrhosis based on two ultrasounds and a CT scan sounds positive - hopefully you haven't reached that stage yet. If alcohol is the issue then you need to take strides to stop drinking - that will stop any progression and hopefully you can reverse the changes you do have before you get as far as cirrhosis.

Katie

[JLhervey in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, it’s me JLhervey😊👋🏻 just want to post an update. We’re back today from the specialist. she said that ubby doesn’t need to get liver transplant now. Just need to focus on his diet, no salt strictly.. that’ll his massive challenge 😆 do more exercises, consume lots of high protein.

He got the liver cirrhosis from the diabetic for so many2 years. I was wondering whether the medication that he had been taking from the oast years effected & caused his liver damage?🤔

[JLhervey in reply to JLhervey]

my hibby had an MRI

[AyrshireK in reply to JLhervey]

That's good news that transplant isn't indicated at the current time and that you can perhaps get him good and stable with healthy diet and exercise. The no salt is to prevent ascites from building up so it is important that he does get into the way of that - add pepper instead of salt or get creative with cookery.

Diabetes is a risk factor for Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver Disease which may be the underlying cause that led to cirrhosis or indeed it can be meds related too.

It's possible he may never get to transplant needy stage or it may be staved off for many years providing he follows all doctors orders.

* Rather than clog up someone else's thread with discussion it's best to start your own thread then others can contribute *

Katie

[Linakes]

I know that cirrhosis is only seen on ct scan unless its advanced, so i thought that it means i have it if such changes are seen on ct scan. But again wouldnt it be more signs then just that?

[AyrshireK in reply to Linakes]

The fact your report says 'slightly heterogenous' means it has picked up some changes - not necessarily cirrhosis at all. CT can pick up fatty liver, fibrosis and other lesser changes long before cirrhosis. The key word is 'slightly'.

Work on stopping your drinking to improve your liver.

Katie

[Linakes]

I read that fatty liver can go after 2 months of sobriety. Wonder if its true?I am planning to take fibroscan since two ultrasounds got me nowhere

[Ubwa in reply to Linakes]

Depends on many factors, how fatty, how quickly your liver can fix itself etc. The key is its reversable. As to imaging, my cirrhosis showed up like a xmas tree on ultrasound, never needed any other type of imaging to confirm it..

As Katie said above, work on controlling alcohol, it is the best thing you can do.

My

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I had a CT scan that said normal liver then went for a ultrasound and that said fatty liver