With the development of society and the increase of people’s health awareness, annual health checkups have become popular to most people. Often, patients who come to the clinic for review with the physical examination report are confused whether the imaging description of intrahepatic nodules should matter or not. How to interpret it? Could it be liver cancer? Do they need to be treated? Some of them go to Baidu to search for their own nodules, but the more they check, the more scared they are, and the more bottomless they are, so let’s tell you what to do if liver nodules are found in physical examination. First, let’s briefly understand what role the liver plays in our body. The liver is the largest digestive gland in the human digestive system and is located in the upper right abdomen of the body, weighing about 1200g. It is involved in metabolism, bile production, detoxification, blood clotting, immunity and other important functions of the body, and is an essential organ for maintaining the body’s vital activities. Intrahepatic nodules is a collective term for lesions that occur in the liver area and can be divided into two categories: benign and malignant. Benign nodules Common ones include liver cysts, hepatic hemangiomas, and focal nodular hyperplasia. They generally grow slowly and have little impact on human health, so they do not require special treatment and usually only need regular follow-up. However, if the nodules are too large and cause pressure symptoms, surgery may be considered. Malignant nodules are also commonly referred to as malignant tumors. They mainly include hepatocellular liver cancer, cholangiocellular liver cancer, metastatic tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, breast, etc. Malignant tumors have infiltrative growth, grow rapidly, are prone to metastasis, and are very dangerous to life. It must be treated as early as possible after detection and should not be delayed. So, how do you know whether the nodules in your liver are benign or malignant? What kind of examination process can be used to clarify it? Ultrasonography is the preferred method of liver imaging, which is inexpensive, convenient and non-invasive. Routine ultrasound recommends that patients fast for at least 8 hours to reduce the effect of gastrointestinal gas on the image quality of the liver. Routine ultrasound can show the size and shape of the liver, the parenchymal structure of the liver, the duct system, the direction and distribution of blood vessels, clarify the presence or absence of liver nodules, the specific size and location, and initially identify the benign and malignant nature of nodules, and is suitable for routine physical examination and regular review of nodules. Can routine ultrasound of the liver determine the benignity or malignancy of all nodules? Are there any further tests available on ultrasound? Although conventional ultrasound is the preferred method of examination of the liver, further qualitative diagnosis of intrahepatic nodules and clarification of the blood supply to the nodules requires the assistance of ultrasonography. Ultrasonography is performed by intravenous injection of ultrasound contrast. It is indicated for lesions that require further definitive diagnosis after conventional ultrasonography, for suspicious lesions in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, for suspicious lesions in patients with a history of malignancy, and for additional imaging information when MRI, CT or other imaging findings are not clear or are inconsistent. Some patients ask, “A physical examination reveals intrahepatic nodules, but why do I usually have no symptoms? There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of benign and malignant nodules in the liver. Some oversized benign nodules may have discomfort in the right upper abdomen when they produce pressure symptoms. If you come to the clinic with obvious symptoms such as swelling and pain in the liver area, lump in the upper right abdomen, unexplained weight loss, bloating, diarrhea, intermittent fever, and fatigue, you are already in the advanced stage. Therefore, it is very important to have regular medical checkups, and the idea that “I don’t need a checkup if I don’t feel anything” should not be allowed. Who are prone to malignant nodules (malignant tumors)? The development of malignant nodules usually has a certain basis in liver disease. Family history of liver cancer, chronic hepatitis B patients, patients with cirrhosis, and previous history of tumor are all high-risk groups that need to be reviewed regularly at the hospital. In conclusion, for liver nodules described in the physical examination report, patients also need to go to the hospital for re-examination. After clarifying the benign and malignant, differentiate them: benign nodules are checked regularly, malignant nodules are treated early.