What does heterogeneous liver mean?

[Tom2013]

I have been infected with hepatitis b since my birth(inherited from my mother).Last year I carried out some tests,the results were Hbv-dna=1070 IU/ml,sgpt=37,sgot=33,wbc=5600,platelet=152000,HB=13.1...I didn't have any problems then and now.I have been on lamivudine 100 for an year now and current status is:Hbv-dna= -ve,hbeag=-ve.My USG report states:1)Heterogeneous liver 2)small thick walled gall bladder.Liver,pancreas,spleen etc are normal in shape and size...Can anyone tell me what is meant by heterogeneous liver,thick walled gall bladder?I do not have any problems,symptoms....Is there anything wrong with my usg report?  

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

if you stop the lamivudine (which frankly is not a good medicine in light of the better agents that we now have) the HBV will reactivate.  treatment is life-long with there being an approximate 3-5% chance of clearing surface antigen

[Tom2013]

Thanks Dr.Schiano,one more thing I want to ask you is that should I stop taking lamivudine 100 as long as my hbv dna is -ve or continue with it?Actually I consulted two doctors but none of them could clearly specify whether I should stop treatment or continue with it.Since you have indicated mild inflammation in my liver,do i need to take medicines to cure my liver?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

the liver appears heterogeneous or unsmooth in everyone who has a chronic liver problem,  It reflects some mild underlaying inflammation.  The gallbladder also appears like this because of the adjacent inflammation.  I think that this is a typical ultrasound report for your situation.