How to determine liver function in premarital examination through CT
Nov 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
In premarital examinations, liver function is primarily assessed via CT based on indicators such as liver morphology and size, uniformity of parenchymal density, visualization of intrahepatic vessels, status of the biliary system, and presence of abnormal space-occupying lesions, to comprehensively evaluate liver health. If CT reveals significant abnormalities or is accompanied by symptoms of discomfort, timely medical consultation and further evaluation are recommended.
During premarital health checkups, liver function is primarily assessed via CT based on indicators such as liver morphology and size, uniformity of parenchymal density, visualization of intrahepatic vessels, status of the biliary system, and presence of abnormal space-occupying lesions, to comprehensively evaluate liver health. If CT reveals significant abnormalities or is accompanied by discomfort symptoms, timely medical consultation and further examinations are recommended.
1. Assessing liver morphology and size: A normal liver has a smooth contour, regular shape, and balanced lobe proportions. Enlargement of the liver, irregular contours, or disproportionate lobe segments may indicate conditions such as hepatitis or fatty liver disease that affect liver function.
2. Evaluating parenchymal density uniformity: Normally, liver parenchyma shows uniform density higher than that of the spleen. Reduced density may suggest fatty liver, while increased or heterogeneous density could be associated with cirrhosis or hepatic fibrosis, both indicating impaired liver function.
3. Examining intrahepatic vessel visibility: Clear visualization of blood vessels such as the hepatic artery and portal vein without compression or displacement indicates normalcy. Blurred, narrowed, or compressed vessels may result from liver lesions that impair liver function and disrupt blood supply.
4. Checking biliary system status: Normal bile ducts without dilation and a normally shaped gallbladder indicate good health. Dilation of bile ducts, thickened gallbladder wall, or presence of stones may impair bile excretion and indirectly reflect liver functional abnormalities.
5. Screening for abnormal space-occupying lesions: CT can detect nodules or masses within the liver, which may be cysts, hemangiomas, tumors, or other lesions. Further evaluation of their nature is needed to determine their impact on liver function.
Prior to the premarital examination, maintain regular sleep patterns and avoid staying up late, eat a light diet low in oil and salt with no alcohol consumption, avoid indiscriminate use of medications, engage in moderate exercise, and manage body weight to reduce metabolic burden on the liver, thereby helping ensure accurate assessment of liver condition.
