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Sonographic Evaluation of the Hepato-Biliary System in Viral Hepatitis at Jos University Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography offers a noninvasive and cost effective method for evaluation and hepatobiliary surveillance in viral hepatitis. Two distinct ultrasound patterns are often detected: Accentuated brightness and more extensive demonstration of the portal vein radicle in background of decreased echogenicity of the liver in acute hepatitis. While chronic hepatitis reveals; decreased brightness and number of portal vein radicle walls and overall increased liver echogenicity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to detect the changes in the hepatobiliary system on ultrasound in viral hepatitis and the significance of these findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional screening study of 322 patients in Jos, Plateau State, and Northern part of Nigeria. All participants were serologically tested for viral hepatitis B and C, and subsequently scanned. All examinations were performed using LOGIC 5, a real-time ultrasound machine using a 5MHZ curvilinear transducer and ultrasound coupling gel. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 17, which were presented in tables. RESULTS: Out of 322 patients, 121 were males and 201 were females. Maximum number of infection was within age group of 20-39years. Out of 121 males, 46(38%) were infected with HBV while 47 (23.4%) of the 201females had HBV with pvalue of 0.005. Only 1 male (0.8%) and 5(2.5%) of the females tested positive for HCV with p = 0.286. One patient with HBV had decreased hepatic parenchymal echogenicity. Eighty three (29.5%) of HBV patients had normal liver echogenicity. Similarly, 5(1.8%) HCV patients had normal liver echogenicity with p-value of 0.926. 7 (31.8%) of patients had coarse liver echo texture p = 0.753. Eighty six (28.7%) of the 322 participants had normal liver echo texture. Moderate ascites was noted in one patient P = 0.129 CONCLUSION: The notable imaging findings of viral hepatitis on ultrasound, includes; decrease parenchymal echogenicity and accentuation of portal vein radicles and ascites. However, in early and uncomplicated viral hepatitis, ultrasound findings were normal in majority of the patients.