Hepatic Echogenicity: The relative brightness of liver parenchyma on B-mode ultrasound compared to the renal cortex; increased echogenicity suggests hepatic steatosis.
Hepatic echogenicity refers to the relative brightness of the liver parenchyma on B-mode ultrasound compared to the right renal cortex and spleen. Normal liver echogenicity equals or slightly exceeds the renal cortex. Increased echogenicity (bright liver) relative to the kidney suggests hepatic steatosis (fatty infiltration). Focal decreased echogenicity may indicate malignancy, lymphoma, or metastases.