What does the size of the liver calcification say?

The article is expertly advised by Dr. Doctor CCII Phan Thi Minh Huong - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital

Liver calcification is a chronic inflammatory condition of the liver that is usually benign. On the ultrasound image of the patient's liver, it shows the liver calcification nodules, these liver calcifications can have different sizes, many nodules or few nodules. Based on the size of the liver calcification nodules, the doctor can give specific advice.

Liver calcification is often detected on ultrasound of the liver as an echogenic image accompanied by echogenic shadow behind, liver calcification may be a calcification of the liver parenchyma caused by chronic inflammation in the liver. , after the chronic inflammatory process, the damaged liver parenchyma gradually heals and creates scars or small stones in the intrahepatic biliary tract.
If due to small size intrahepatic bile duct stones, it is difficult to distinguish from calcification in liver parenchyma, however, if large size causes biliary obstruction, signs of intrahepatic biliary dilatation will be seen after the location of the stones on liver ultrasound. and bile ducts.
Calcification in the liver parenchyma, the main cause is after the hepatitis process, which can be caused by agents such as alcohol, parasites, and the use of toxic drugs for the liver. If the main bile duct stones are caused by worms, bacteria in the digestive tract or by biliary tract diseases such as cholangitis, cystic dilatation...

Hepatic calcification is a manifestation of liver disease that is not a serious disease, usually benign, however, if large, it can cause cholangitis, chronic cholestasis, and more severe can lead to severe cholestasis. to secondary biliary cirrhosis.

When the ultrasound shows a calcified liver nodule, the doctor will measure the size of that calcified nodule, from the size of the calcified nodule, it can indicate the level of risk of causing complications affecting liver function. From there, specific follow-up advice and treatment measures are given.
Liver calcification nodules 4mm or 7mm liver calcifications, if liver function is still within normal limits, there is no danger, no need to worry, patients just need to regularly monitor for abnormal signs, Liver function tests and ultrasound evaluate the development of calcified nodules.
In case the liver calcification nodules are large, causing biliary tract compression, recurrent infection of the biliary tract and possibly affecting hepatobiliary function, in addition to treating cholangitis, nodules can be surgically removed. calcify.
Liver calcification is a benign condition, there is no risk of developing malignancy, so patients should not be too worried about affecting their health. When you have liver calcification, you should change your diet and lifestyle to limit the development of calcified nodules such as:

Exercise regularly, help reduce fatigue and stress. Increasing immunity helps limit diseases and drugs that affect the liver. Diet: It is necessary to limit cholesterol in the diet to reduce the risk of bile pigment deposition. Cholesterol is abundant in animal viscera, animal fat, egg yolk, animal viscera...so it should be limited. It is necessary to increase fresh fruits, green vegetables, white meats and should divide meals, should not eat too full, should not eat too late. Limit drinking alcohol, beer, substances that are toxic to the liver and when using drugs that are toxic to the liver should be guided by a doctor. Especially some drugs of unknown origin, improperly preserved male drugs that cause fungal infections should not be taken. Should not work too hard, get enough sleep every day, maintain a comfortable mental state, should not worry about liver calcification because this is a benign condition. Periodic health examination every 3-6 months to assess whether the liver calcification nodules has progressed larger, evaluate liver function and examine immediately when there are signs such as liver pain, fever, jaundice... Deworming every 6 months to 1 year. The size of liver calcifications can indicate the risk of complications caused by calcified nodules on the liver, so that the doctor can guide the appropriate treatment. However, only partly determined by liver size, it is mainly liver function and hepatobiliary signs at the time of detection of calcified nodules that are important in deciding whether to treat or just monitor.
Vinmec International General Hospital is implementing a Hepatobiliary Screening Package to help diagnose fatty liver disease in particular and hepatobiliary diseases in general. Vinmec is the leading prestigious and reliable address in the field of screening and treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, with the following advantages:
Possessing modern facilities, full of advanced equipment and machinery world leading, for high image quality, accurate and fast test results, maximum support for disease diagnosis and treatment. A team of leading specialists from major hospitals across the country helps the treatment process to be highly effective and shorten the treatment time. Professional, comprehensive examination and consultation service, civilized, polite, safe and sterilized medical examination space.