What is the typical sonographic finding in a patient with cirrhosis?

In patients with cirrhosis, the typical sonographic findings include a nodular liver surface, increased echogenicity, and the presence of ascites. As the liver undergoes fibrosis and structural changes due to chronic liver disease, these changes cause the liver's surface to become irregular and nodular.

Increased echogenicity reflects the fibrotic changes and fatty infiltration that often accompany cirrhosis, making the liver appear brighter on ultrasound. This is a key sonographic indicator of liver disease severity. Ascites, or the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, is a common complication of cirrhosis and can be easily identified during an ultrasound examination.

Other options may present findings that are not characteristic of cirrhosis. For instance, homogeneous liver texture suggests normal liver conditions, while hypoechoic masses could indicate other pathologies unrelated to cirrhosis. Additionally, a decreased liver echogenicity with smooth contours is not typical of cirrhosis, as such findings could indicate other acute liver conditions or non-fibrotic liver disorders. Thus, the presence of a nodular surface along with increased echogenicity and ascites provides a clear sonographic picture of cirrhosis.