During an abdominal ultrasound, the sonographer notes increased echogenicity of the liver. What condition might this indicate?

Increased echogenicity of the liver observed during an abdominal ultrasound is commonly associated with fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis. This condition arises when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, leading to changes in the liver's echogenic appearance on ultrasound. The fatty infiltration makes the liver appear brighter on the ultrasound image due to the way sound waves are reflected by the fat.

While hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and liver cirrhosis can also contribute to changes in echogenicity, they often present with a different sonographic appearance. Hepatomegaly may not inherently indicate increased echogenicity without the fat component, and liver cirrhosis can result in a more heterogeneous echotexture due to scarring. Liver cancer may display a variety of echogenic characteristics depending on the type and stage of the tumor but is not primarily identified by increased echogenicity alone.

Thus, fatty liver disease is specifically characterized by the increase in echogenicity that is directly related to fat accumulation, making it the most appropriate indication of the condition in the context of a sonographic finding of increased liver echogenicity.