Cystic fibrosis: its characteristic appearance on abdominal sonography

The abdominal sonograms of 24 patients with cystic fibrosis aged 8-30 years were reviewed. Most patients had abnormal scans; the number and severity of organs involved tended to increase with age. When the pancreas was identified, it was usually echogenic and small. Cholelithiasis, microgallbladder, and obstruction of the common bile duct were observed. Textural changes in the liver reflected underlying parenchymal disease; splenomegaly and portal hypertension occurred in responses to severe hepatic involvement. A few patients had thick gastric or duodenal wall.