What is a common sonographic appearance of acute hepatitis referred to as?

The term "Starry Night" is commonly used to describe the sonographic appearance associated with acute hepatitis. This terminology captures the visuals seen on ultrasound when the liver exhibits a mottled pattern, usually due to the presence of inflammatory changes and edema within the hepatic tissue. The "Starry Night" appearance reflects a diffuse echogenic pattern that resembles a star-speckled sky, produced by the scattering of ultrasound waves off the irregular liver surfaces affected by inflammation.

This echogenicity can arise from a combination of factors, including an increase in liver cell transaminases and the presence of hepatic necrosis, which contributes to the uneven, bright areas seen on ultrasound. Understanding this specific sonographic pattern is crucial for radiologists and sonographers when diagnosing conditions like acute hepatitis, as it can point to the underlying pathology effectively.