ABSTRACT
Liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessment of fibrosis and necroinflammatory changes in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. However, the use of biopsy in clinical practice has some limitations related to sample errors and possible complications. Ultrasonography has become the most common and valuable method for assessment of liver disease because of its low cost, easy performance and high acceptability by the patients. It could provide not only valuable information on the morphological changes of the liver but also liver hemodynamics by Colour Doppler flow imaging. To evaluate the relationship between abdominal ultrasonography and selected colour Doppler parameters on one hand and the liver histopathology on the other hand, in patients with Hepatitis C related chronic liver disease. The study was performed on 2 groups: Group [1]: Included 40 patients who presented with Hepatitis C virus [HCV] related chronic liver disease, diagnosed by clinical assessment, biochemical profile, hepatitis markers and liver biopsy. Group [2]: Included 20 healthy subjects as a control group. Both groups were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination and laboratory work up. Abdominal ultrasonography and colour Doppler imaging were done with special emphasis on certain parameters. Among ultrasonographic parameters, there was a high statistical significance for the largest oblique diameter of the right hepatic lobe, GB wall thickness, hepatic parenchymal echopattern together with a functional score formed of serum albumin, bilirubin and TNR to predict the degree of hepatitis inflammation among group 1. The studied Doppler parameters [phasicity of hepatic veins, main portal vein trunk, congestive index of the PV, hepatic artery diameter hepatic artery resistive index, splenic artery diameter and splenic vein diameter] when combined with the functional score could significantly predict the degree of hepatitis inflammation. Ultrasonography and Doppler studies can predict the changes in the liver biopsy but their validity is increased when combined with a functional assessment of the liver condition