SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF DIFFUSE LIVER DISEASE IN CHILDREN WITH SECONDARY HEMOCHROMATOSIS
There are presented data of sonographic examination of 280 children aged from 2 months to 18 years with chronic diffuse liver diseases, in 40% of which syndrome of iron overload (SIO) was established. Hepatomegaly and heterogeneity of the liver parenchyma of varying severity depending on the disease stage and activity of the process appear to be the characteristic sonographic feature of SIO. Based on the analysis of sonographic and morphological data qualitative and quantitative sonographic signs of the degree of fibrosis have been revealed, that is especially important if it is impossible to perform liver biopsy. High rates of formation of liver cirrhosis in children with Wilson's disease and autoimmune hepatitis have been found, which is associated with an elevated content of iron in the liver. It is shown that SIO was showen to worsen the course of diffuse liver disease in children.