Liver concern

Dr please help with this

May 08 - abdominal u/s liver normal - small gallbladder polys
Nov 08 - ultrasound 12mm hypoechoic liver nodule segment 4b - gallbladder polyps unchanged
Nov 08 - second abdominal u/s liver normal - gallbladder polyps unchanged
Dec 08 - MRI with and without contrast - liver normal (other than 14mm fatty area that did not corrospond to hypoechoic nodule)

Feb 09  - ultrasound finding - "subtle echo poor lesion 12mm in the left lobe with somewhat bullseye apperance due to slight central ecogenicity.   This is a subtle and non specific finding"   Follow-up in 6-8months with MRI.

What does this mean - am scared that it could indicate something bad like metasteses (I have no known cancer but of course had to look on the internet and found that this bullseye sign is sugestive of this.

Also is 6-8 months reasonalbe time to wait for follow-up.

What are the other possible diagnosis in this case and why did it not show on mri????

thanks

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I can't make specific recommendations without viewing the imaging studies.

If cancer was suspected, it would be unlikely that the radiologist would wait 6-8 months for a followup.

A "non-specific finding" is exactly that, they're not sure what it is.  The recommendation for a repeat test is done to see whether it changes size, shape or character.

I agree that a repeat MRI should be done.  It probably wouldn't make sense to do it now, since it was essentially normal in December of 2008.  

It would be unlikely that an MRI would miss other, significant liver disease.  It's a pretty sensitive test.

These questions can be discussed with your GI physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd