Computed tomography and sonography of hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Computed tomography and sonography are capable of accurately demonstrating many of the varied manifestations of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. These include gross morphologic changes, parenchymal abnormalities and hemodynamic alterations. These newer, cross sectional imaging technologies are being used more often and earlier in the clinical investigation of patients with diffuse liver disease than in the past, and can provide valuable information noninvasively. Their use may suffice to confirm a clinical suspicion, may provide information necessary to recommend appropriate further diagnostic examinations, or may suggest the specific diagnosis. It is important for the radiologist to be familiar with the broad spectrum of findings that may be recorded by CT and sonography in cirrhosis and portal hypertension.