Quite often, in conclusion to the protocol of ultrasound examination, one can come across such a diagnosis as diffuse changes in the liver and pancreas, the echo signs of which will be described in this article. Those patients who have been diagnosed with this are wondering how dangerous this condition is for the body. Echo signs of diffuse changes in the liver and pancreas indicate that some uniform structural changes in tissues occur on the surface of these organs due to the influence of various factors. The degree of this diffuse deformation may vary. And this conclusion suggests that there are no local foreign inclusions in the organs, for example, stones, cysts, tumors. But what do the echo signs of diffuse changes in the liver and pancreas include? This and other issues should be addressed in more detail.
What do the echoes of diffuse changes in the liver and pancreas mean?
Normally, the tissue of the pancreas and liver during the ultrasound should have the same density absolutely throughout the organ, and outwardly represent a homogeneous substance. If its density evenly increases or decreases, then this indicates the presence of echoes of diffuse changes in the liver and pancreas. They may have the following character:
- Increased echo density. During this, echoes of diffuse changes in the liver or pancreas are characterized by an organ structure that is heterogeneous. A moderate increase in the size of these organs can be observed. As a rule, this often happens during acute pancreatitis.
- Decrease in echo density. At the same time, echoes of diffuse changes in the liver and pancreas do not include any changes with respect to the size of the organs.
Such conditions indicate the presence of chronic pancreatitis in the patient, if it is specifically about the pancreas.
With an increase in echogenicity, the walls of the pancreas are replaced by adipose tissue, but the size does not deviate from the norm. This condition is characteristic of lipomatosis. With hyperechoogenicity, organ tissues are highly densified, and sizes can remain normal or decrease. In this case, healthy cells begin to be replaced by connective tissues, which indicates the presence of fibrosis.
In the pancreas, degenerative-dystrophic changes develop only gradually, being considered an irreversible consequence.
Echoes of diffuse changes in the parenchyma of the liver and pancreas can be a sign of both minor deviations and complex pathologies in the work of these organs. They are evaluated by such parameters as the lumen and condition of the bile ducts, size changes, the condition of arteries and veins, the uniformity of the edges.
Echoes of diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma can speak of many diseases, which include the following:
- Cirrhosis of the liver, during which the organ increases or decreases in size, and also changes the structure of its tissue. It can become lumpy, rough, or dense.
- Hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver that is viral in nature.
- Alcoholic disease, which is an inflammation of the body due to fatty degeneration.
- Cholangitis, which is an infection of the bile ducts.
- Hepatosis, which is a change in liver cells, as well as a violation of the metabolic process in them.
With moderate echoes of diffuse changes in the liver, the patient has symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, an increase in organ size, pain and heaviness in the right hypochondrium. Quite often, the diffuse transformations that are observed in the liver extend to the spleen, as a result of which it also increases in size.
If after ultrasound, moderate echoes of diffuse changes in the liver were noticed, then this may indicate the degeneration of parenchyma cells, which is characteristic of cirrhosis. The surface of the organ in this case is uneven, uneven, replaced by connective tissue and dense.
Description of hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly is a syndrome in which the liver increases in size. Such a pathology can be triggered by exposure to the hepatitis virus, fatty degeneration, alcoholic disease, infectious mononucleosis or cirrhosis. The main signs of this pathology are: a feeling of heaviness, localized in the right hypochondrium, as well as severe soreness, dyspeptic disorders and a feeling of compression.
The severity of this symptomatology will depend on the degree of the course of the disease, against which the liver has increased in size.
Moderate hepatomegaly, which develops due to exposure to an acute viral infection or appears as a result of a dietary disorder, may be asymptomatic. Symptoms of malaise in this case will manifest themselves only when the liver begins to significantly increase in size. Echoes of hepatomegaly of diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma are observed during viral hepatitis. The organ becomes compacted.
Quite often, it happens that diffuse changes in the pancreas, as well as the liver, occur simultaneously. This combination can be noted during reactive pancreatitis. Echoes of hepatomegaly of diffuse liver changes should not be ignored, as this can be fraught with serious consequences.
Causes of occurrence
As a rule, no disease develops for no reason. Among the factors that can cause echoes of changes in the liver and pancreas, there can be both internal and external. To the external should be attributed toxic substances that enter the body from the environment. It can also happen while taking medications, drinking alcohol, and also due to smoking. Changes that occur under the influence of these factors are considered temporary and reversible. The internal causes of echoes of moderate diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma should be conditionally divided into 3 groups:
- Diseases directly related to the liver.
- Age-related changes.
- Violations of the functions of other organs and systems in the body.
The first group includes parasitic infection or worms, inflammatory processes that occur in the liver, for example, hepatitis, cirrhosis or cholangitis. If we talk about diffuse changes that occur in the pancreas, then they can be triggered by diabetes mellitus or pancreatitis. Such a systemic disease as cystic fibrosis is also capable of provoking a similar ailment.
Among the other pathologies that only indirectly affect the functioning of the liver and pancreas, thereby causing changes in their tissue, experts distinguish the following:
- Autoimmune diseases, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Gallstone disease of the gallbladder.
- HIV
- Severe intestinal viral infections.
Symptoms and signs
Reviews of the echoes of changes in the liver and pancreas suggest that the symptoms will be different depending on the underlying cause. However, among the common signs, experts distinguish the following:
- Violation of the stool.
- Decreased appetite.
- Soreness and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
During acute pancreatitis, the patient may experience nausea, vomiting, intense pain in the left hypochondrium, lowering blood pressure, heart palpitations, general intoxication.
During fibrosis, there is no symptomatology at the initial stage of the development of the disease, but as the disease progresses, constant pain in the left hypochondrium, a feeling of nausea, vomiting reflexes are felt, and metabolic processes begin to be disturbed. All of the above symptoms relate specifically to diffuse changes that occur in the pancreas.
Speaking specifically about the signs of diffuse changes in the liver, the symptoms do not appear immediately, or are weakly expressed. In most cases, they go unnoticed. Among the echoes of ductal changes in the liver should include a decrease in performance, lethargy, fatigue, minor hemorrhages on the skin, headaches.
When diffuse changes in the organ are wider, some symptoms can be detected in the patient:
- In the morning, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth.
- The appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium after eating.
- Lightening feces.
- Dark color of urine.
- Rashes and pruritus.
- Swelling of the abdomen in the area of the liver.
- Yellow shade of the skin, sclera and mucous membranes.
If slight diffuse changes are detected during ultrasound, this indicates a moderate hepatomegaly. This condition in most cases appears due to an unbalanced diet, as well as due to alcohol abuse.
Diagnostic Methods
Diffuse changes that occur in the tissues of the pancreas and liver are detected by ultrasound. Ultrasound shows how much an organ has increased. Echoes of diffuse changes are considered pathological plexus of vessels and compaction of parenchyma structures. Such foci of compaction are usually found throughout the organ.
But the results of ultrasound are not enough to diagnose a particular disease that is associated with diffuse changes. For this, it is necessary to additionally conduct an instrumental examination. For this purpose, a survey radiography and computed tomography are organized.
Treatment features
Methods of treating echoes of changes in the liver and gall bladder involve a phased and integrated approach. First of all, it is necessary to give a general assessment of the patient's condition. Methods of therapeutic intervention should be selected based on the degree of intensity of the existing symptoms of the disease.
Drug therapy
Hepatomegaly, which was triggered by a diffuse transformation of the liver or pancreas, should be mandatory subject to drug therapy. Such treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, but it will be impossible to restore the previous state to the tissues of these organs.
Therapy of diffuse changes in the liver
Therapeutic measures that are aimed at combating diffuse transformations will depend on which disease is the cause of the development of this pathology. With less pronounced changes, the patient is prescribed medications that contribute to the restoration of organ cells. The most effective are the drugs "Hepabene" and "Essential."
With moderate diffusion, antibacterial agents, vitamin complexes, as well as antihistamines are prescribed.
If liver disease has arisen due to viral exposure, it is best to use antiviral medications. In severe cases of the disease, various hormonal medications are prescribed. And if the liver tissue was disturbed due to helminthic invasion, then you will have to use antiparasitic drugs, vitamin complexes and hepatoprotectors.
Surgical intervention is required only in those cases when a significant rearrangement and formation of stones occurs in the tissues of the parenchyma.
In some cases, with a small size of the formed stones, therapy may be limited to taking choleretic drugs.
Treatment of diffuse changes in the pancreas
The specialist can not prescribe therapy to combat this pathology. Surgical intervention is also irrelevant. With the help of drugs, you can only alleviate the symptoms of the disease, and also help this body to perform its direct functions. For this, painkillers and enzymes are most often prescribed. Enzymes compensate for the deficiency of the necessary substances in the body for the normal functioning of the pancreas, and painkillers help relieve soreness.
Dieting
All patients suffering from such a pathology should adhere to a sparing diet. Such a diet implies the rejection of the use of many products, which include the following:
- Fatty varieties of fish, poultry and meat.
- Dairy products with a high percentage of fat.
- Salted, fried, spicy dishes.
- Fatty broths, as well as the first dishes that are prepared on their basis.
- Fresh pastries and pastries.
- Canned food and smoked meats.
- Sorrel and spinach.
- Sweets and offal.
- Garlic and onion.
- Mayonnaise.
- Radish.
- Mushrooms.
- Strong black tea.
- Spicy sauces.
- Coffee.
- Alcoholic and carbonated drinks.
With a diffuse change in the liver parenchyma, it is not forbidden to consume the following products in any quantity:
- Homemade jam and honey.
- Sponge cake and dried bread.
- Non-acidic berries and fruits.
- Vegetable smoothie.
- Vegetarian or milk soups.
- Vegetable and fruit salads.
- Boiled protein omelet or soft boiled eggs.
- Boiled sausages.
- Dietary varieties of fish and meat.
- Cocoa and green tea.
- Freshly squeezed juices and compotes.
Alternative medicine
Specialists recommend in combination with the main therapy to use traditional medicine recipes. However, this must be done strictly after consultation with your doctor. At home, you can easily make healing broths yourself, as well as infusions based on the following ingredients:
- Mint.
- Oats
- Propolis.
- Corn silk.
- Chamomile.
- Fennel.
- Yarrow.
- Birch buds.
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Rosehip.
- Calendula.
- Lingonberry leaves.
- Apricot kernels.
Possible complications
Depending on the severity of diffuse damage to organs, this pathology can provoke some dangerous complications, which include the following:
- Female and male infertility.
- Extensive internal hemorrhages.
- Malabsorption syndrome.
- Liver failure.
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Ascites.
- Coma.
Forecast and Prevention
In order to never allow the development of such a pathology, it is necessary to observe a number of general simple rules. Preventive measures include the following:
- Constantly control your body weight.
- Forever abandon addictions.
- Try to eat healthy and healthy.
- Constantly strengthen your immune system.
- Prevent toxic substances and toxins from entering your body.
- Take only those medicines that have been prescribed by your doctor. In this case, the dosage and the duration of the use of drugs should be strictly observed.
- Diagnosis should be early in order to eliminate those diseases that can trigger the development of pathological changes in the liver and pancreas.
- Regularly undergo a full preventive examination, as well as visit all specialists.
Conclusion
In itself, this pathology does not pose a particular danger to human life. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the prognosis and risk of developing possible complications will dictate the main provoking diseases. It should be remembered that each disease is a provocateur, which has its own consequences, sometimes ending in death. Therefore, if you detect the first signs of any disease, you must immediately seek help from a medical institution. It is there that the specialist must prescribe the appropriate treatment, as well as prescribe certain medications.
At the same time, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the use of traditional medicine recipes is only an addition to the main therapy. In addition, even non-traditional products should be used only after consultation with a qualified specialist.