Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of an organ or tissue resulting from the enlargement of its component cells rather than an increase in cell number. In echocardiography, left ventricular hypertrophy is one of the most common findings, typically resulting from chronic high blood pressure that forces the heart to pump harder, causing the muscle wall to thicken. On ultrasound, hypertrophied tissue generally appears enlarged but with preserved or increased echogenicity. Compensatory renal hypertrophy occurs when one kidney enlarges to take over the function of a missing or non-functioning opposite kidney. Understanding the concept of hypertrophy helps sonographers interpret organ size measurements in clinical context.
Sonography Term