Introduction:

Chronic liver disease (CLD) encompasses a group of progressive liver disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, leading to structural and functional alterations of the liver. Cirrhosis represents the final stage of CLD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of caudate lobe volume as an indicator of disease severity in adult patients with CLD.

Patients and Methods:

A descriptive, analytical, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in 63 patients diagnosed with CLD. Caudate lobe volume was calculated based on longitudinal, transverse, and oblique diameters obtained through abdominal ultrasound.

Results:

The mean age was 59.52 years, with a female predominance (60.3%). The most common etiologies of CLD were alcohol use and viral infections caused by hepatitis B and C. Disease severity was assessed using the Child-Pugh classification, with Class C being the most prevalent (63.5%) and showing the largest caudate lobe volume, with a median of 41 cm³. A control group of 40 patients without CLD had a median caudate lobe volume of 10 cm3.

Conclusions:

Caudate lobe volume and its diameters were found to be larger in patients with CLD and increased proportionally with the severity of liver dysfunction.