A patient with alcohol abuse history presents with abdominal distention and fatigue. The sonogram is likely demonstrating which condition?

The presentation of abdominal distention and fatigue in a patient with a history of alcohol abuse is most consistent with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases, with chronic alcohol abuse being one of the most common causes.

In cirrhosis, the liver becomes severely scarred due to prolonged inflammation and damage. This scarring can lead to a range of complications, including abdominal distention caused by ascites, which is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Patients often present with fatigue due to the liver's decreased ability to function effectively, contributing to symptoms such as jaundice and weakness.

Sonographically, cirrhosis can present with specific findings such as a nodular liver contour, liver surface irregularities, and possibly signs of portal hypertension, although the latter is a consequence rather than a standalone diagnosis. The background of alcohol abuse highlights the likelihood of liver damage leading to these findings.

Other options, while related to liver conditions, do not encapsulate the combination of symptoms and history as clearly as cirrhosis does. Fatty infiltration, for instance, pertains more to fat deposition in liver cells, which might not typically present with