Which of the following sonographic findings is NOT typically associated with acute hepatitis?

Acute hepatitis is primarily characterized by the inflammation of the liver, which often leads to specific sonographic changes. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are both commonly observed findings in cases of acute hepatitis. Hepatomegaly, or liver enlargement, occurs due to the inflammatory response and cellular swelling. Splenomegaly may also occur as a result of portal hypertension or other systemic changes associated with liver dysfunction.

The sonographic appearance of the liver in acute hepatitis typically shows a hypoechoic liver parenchyma, which reflects the inflammatory edema present in the liver tissue. This hypoechoic appearance helps differentiate acute hepatitis from other liver conditions, such as cirrhosis or fatty liver disease, which may have different echogenic patterns.

An irregular liver contour is not a typical finding in acute hepatitis. This feature is usually associated with chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, where the liver surface becomes nodular due to prolonged damage and regenerative processes. Thus, identifying that an irregular contour is not linked to the acute phase helps clarify the understanding of liver pathology in the context of acute hepatitis.