Ultrasound and liver disease

The widespread availability of ultrasound has revolutionised the investigation of hepatobiliary disease. Liver ultrasound should be the primary imaging modality in jaundice, suspected diffuse liver disease or focal liver disease and supplemented by other modalities where indicated. The advent of Duplex and Colour Doppler imaging has expanded the utility of ultrasound techniques in relation to the hepatic vasculature. This article presents an overview of the use of ultrasound in liver disease.