American Board of Pathology (ABPath) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary function of screening ultrasounds in patients with hepatitis is to screen for liver cancer. Hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C, is associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common form of liver cancer. Routine surveillance with ultrasound is recommended in patients with chronic hepatitis to detect early signs of liver cancer, such as liver nodules, which can lead to timely intervention and management.

Screening ultrasounds are valuable because they are non-invasive and can be performed frequently in a high-risk population, allowing for the monitoring of liver changes over time. While assessing liver size, detecting gallstones, and identifying liver fibrosis may also be important in the management of liver disease, these functions are not the primary aim of routine screening in the context of hepatitis. The key focus remains on identifying early cancerous changes to improve patient outcomes.