Cirrhosis

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Cirrhosis

The imaging features of cirrhosis sometimes differ depending on the etiology. In particular, primary sclerosis cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis have features, which can suggest the etiology. Imaging features can also aid in differentiating alcoholic from viral cirrhosis.

Alcoholic versus Viral Cirrhosis1

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

There is more frequent caudate enlargement and right posterior hepatic notch (indentation in medial surface of right posterior lobe) visualization in alcoholic cirrhosis.

Viral Cirrhosis

Regenerative nodules are usually larger in viral cirrhosis.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis²

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) occurs more commonly in men and usually has an onset between 30 and 60 years of age. However, it can also be seen in children. The etiology is unknown, but it is associated with ulcerative colitis. Biliary dilatation in conjunction with cirrhosis suggests PSC as the etiology. The following hepatic findings are more common in primary sclerosing cholangitis than in other etiologies of cirrhosis.³

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