Which liver change does NOT displace surrounding structures on ultrasound (no mass effect)?

Which liver change does NOT displace surrounding structures on ultrasound (no mass effect)?

• A. Hemochromatosis
• B. Wilson's Disease
• C. Focal Fatty
• D. Amyloid Disease

Answer: (C)

Mass effect on ultrasound comes from a discrete, space-occupying lesion that distorts the liver contour and pushes adjacent structures. Diffuse liver diseases—like hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, and amyloid infiltration—alter the liver echotexture or size uniformly without forming a true mass that displaces surrounding tissues. Focal fatty change is a localized patch within the liver parenchyma; it changes the appearance in that region but it does not create a real mass that pushes on vessels or the capsule, so it does not produce a mass effect. Hence, focal fatty change is the one that does not displace surrounding structures.

Mass effect on ultrasound comes from a discrete, space-occupying lesion that distorts the liver contour and pushes adjacent structures. Diffuse liver diseases—like hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, and amyloid infiltration—alter the liver echotexture or size uniformly without forming a true mass that displaces surrounding tissues. Focal fatty change is a localized patch within the liver parenchyma; it changes the appearance in that region but it does not create a real mass that pushes on vessels or the capsule, so it does not produce a mass effect. Hence, focal fatty change is the one that does not displace surrounding structures.