'Shadows' on Liver

Hi.

I recently had an ultrasound scan as I had pains in my lower right side.  The scan showed up nothing in this area, however my doctor has informed me that there are 'shadows' on my liver.  He said it is nothing to worry about, but how can I not?!

What can cause shadows on the liver?  

(I am 28, female, and have been a 'binge-drinker' for the last ten years).

Many thanks

[Myown]

I honestly don't know, but if a "shadow" is there, there must be something that is casting the shadow, like a cyst or something?  Yeah I love the way some doctors tell us things, don't fully explain, and then they say 'don't worry about it."  That would have made me upset too, ,,,,ask him if the shadow on your liver means 6 more weeks of winter......maybe sarcasm will force him to see that you are a patient of his and you deserve a better explanation than the one he gave you...

Good luck.

[Myown]

Ya know your doc is probably right in that it is nothing because I DO have a cyst on my liver and if I remember correctly I have one on my kidney too,,,,,so if you had a cyst or something he would have been able to see it like my doc saw mine....maybe bring your scan to another doc for another opinion if you are not comfortable with what he told you, but he's probably right in that its nothing to worry about.

[jetbamba]

Thanks for your comments : ) he told me about the 'shadows' on the phone a few days ago, but wouldn't say what they were.  I'm going to see him later this afternoon, to find out what more. I have the feeling I've been partying too hard.  It is probably a warning sign to cut down the booze which isn't such a bad thing I guess!  

Many thanks again

xxxx

[Myown]

You're very welcome Jet :)

I hope you to hear all is well after you hear what the doc has to say.

Good luck!
MO

[jetbamba]

Hiya MO.

Update: The scan results suggest I have 2 'hemangioma's' which are benign growths, collection of extra blood vessels about 3cm wide.  I have to go in for another test to confirm this though. He doesn't think it's anything booze related although i'm still going to cut right back!!  Gotta go back for blood tests to check the actual health of my liver next week so fingers crossed.  As well as that, turns out I have polycystic ovaries too which came up on the scan - this could have been causing the pain.

Thanks for your support Mo, is nice to know someone cares : )

xxxxxx

[Myown]

Hey Jet, glad to hear its just benign growths, its good your getting another test to confirm this too. The Polycystic ovaries, you're right that may have been causing the pain. Make sure you see a specialist about the Polycystic ovaries. I don't know a whole lot about the subject but I do know it can affect hormones, insulin, fertitlity etc. Who knows it may all be tied into the liver since the liver does play a big role with hormones.

But it sounds like you're going to be just fine especially that you will be cutting down on the partying :o)....we all remember being your age and most of us did party a little bit too much back in the day.  

So, make sure you post how you make out with your next test. I'm sure you'll be fine.

heres something to check ou (Polycystic)... This relates more to the "syndrome",,,,I think there is a difference between the 'syndrome' and actually having the 'cysts,' but ask your doc out about that....This particular site seems pretty interesting.....

talk to ya again....MO  :o)

http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/

[jetbamba]

Cheers Mo, that's a really great help.  I'll take a look at that : )

Will let you know how I get on

Lotsa love
xxxx

[sue3708]

I too have a hemangioma on my liver.  I had an ultrasound today to follow its size.  It was found on CT scan in January and then my doc wanted an MRI to make sure that was what it was.  today it was 2mm larger than in March.  But that was comparing it to an MRI (more precise)  The US I thinkhas fuzzy borders so would be more difficult to measure.  i go back to the gasrto next monday.

[Myown]

hey jet!
Good, I hope the info helps.
Yes let me know how things go....I'll check in now and then.

Talk to ya again sweety,
MO

Sue, good luck with your gastro appointment!

[Leighsa82]

My friends new baby has cystic fibrosis, she informed me today that after a hospital appointment were he had a scan they told her that Harry has shadowing on the lungs and liver. I asked her what shadowing is and how it's caused and guess what!!!! the doctors didn't explain. Does anyone know ?? I have done a few internet searches but haven't found anything really all that conclusive plus I'm not a doctor and can't get my head around all the medical banter.

Harry is gorgeous and will soon be my god son, so i would really like to know whats going on in his tiny little body, any help will be much appreciated.

[pixie612]

i had a ultra sound scan last week and am going for MRI in the morning looking at these comments i am hoping its that cus it been worrying me all week, what do they do for them ???

20 female names stacey

[Gem130682]

Hi there, I can't comment on the shadowing but I just wanted to give you a little info about CF. my nephew was born in 1993  and wasn't diagnosed for 6 months,so he got quite poorly before we found out what it was,as soon as we found out he was treated rapidly.he had quite a few lots of medication and twice daily physiotherapy.he had nebulisers to help aid his breathing aspect of the illness,but it got him on his feet,tackling the days ahead. Obv this has gone on for many years but he has never let his illness stop anything he does. The doctors always warned it could affect him doing many things in live- but it certainly hasn't. By 11 he was playing for Blackburn Utds under13's and playing a full game,he ran races for life,did numerous things to raise sponsorships for Cystic Fibrosis organisation-the best being an abseil down one of the buildings in Manchester! Just wanted to tell you about a few of these things as the doctors were convinced his illness would hold him back in life and were very quick to tell us all the things he wouldn't ever be able to do. With all the funding that Cf are now receiving from sponsorship they are able to find so many more solutions and medicines etc to help sufferers live such a full life and things really are looking bright for the future. He is now 18 and has left home and gone away to university in Preston and things are going marvellously for him. I hope you don't mind me writing a few words to you,and I didn't know if you had any info on what cf can cause,but I do hope I have given you a few encouraging things to think about. I wish your future godson alms the family all the best for the future x x x