Abstract
Background: Viral hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease that primarily affects the liver and is prevalent in developing countries. Ultrasonography is widely used as a first-line imaging modality for evaluating hepatic and associated abdominal changes due to its safety, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the frequency of ultrasound findings in patients diagnosed with viral hepatitis A and to compare these findings with those reported in existing literature.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with clinically and laboratory-confirmed hepatitis A. Ultrasound examinations were performed to evaluate liver size, parenchymal echotexture, gallbladder wall thickness, spleen size, and portal vein diameter. The collected data were analyzed to determine the prevalence of specific sonographic findings.
Results: The most common ultrasound finding was hepatomegaly, followed by altered liver echotexture and gallbladder wall thickening. Periportal cuffing and splenomegaly were observed in a smaller number of patients, while a few cases showed normal sonographic appearances despite confirmed infection. These findings are generally consistent with previously published studies, although slight variations were noted in the frequency of certain features.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography is a valuable, non-invasive tool for identifying hepatic changes in viral hepatitis A. Its findings, when combined with clinical and laboratory data, contribute significantly to accurate diagnosis and effective patient management.