Which condition might a sonogram reveal that is characterized by an echogenic liver?

An echogenic liver on a sonogram typically indicates an increase in liver echogenicity, which can be caused by various conditions. Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is characterized by the accumulation of fat within liver cells, leading to an increased echogenic appearance on ultrasound. This is due to the fact that fat has a higher echogenicity than the surrounding liver tissue, making the liver appear brighter or more echogenic on the sonogram.

In the case of liver cirrhosis, while it may also result in changes to liver echogenicity, the primary ultrasound findings would include nodularity, changes in size and contour, and possibly portal hypertension, rather than simply being classified as echogenic. Hepatitis could present with varying echogenic patterns depending on the stage and severity of the inflammation, and while it may contribute to increased echogenicity, it's not exclusively characterized by it like fatty liver disease. Metastatic disease presents typically with lesions that can alter the liver's echogenicity but is not defined by a uniformly echogenic liver.

Therefore, fatty liver disease is specifically associated with the condition characterized by an echogenic liver as seen on sonography.