A preventive and diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Harsh Vyas, shared an ultrasound image of a 28-year-old man diagnosed with advanced and irreversible liver cirrhosis, even though the patient reportedly consumed alcohol only occasionally. The image and accompanying caption were posted to Dr. Vyas’s Instagram account on December 27, 2025, sparking public attention to liver disease risk factors.
In his social media post, Dr. Vyas explained that the ultrasound (USG) imaging revealed signs consistent with liver cirrhosis, a condition where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis) and the organ’s structure and function are significantly impaired. The scan also showed ascites, excess fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity often seen in advanced liver disease and associated with complications such as pain and swelling.
Dr. Vyas noted that both he and the patient understood the condition had progressed to an advanced stage, and when the patient’s mother asked if her son would recover, he indicated that the disease was irreversible at this point and that a liver transplant might be the only applicable intervention.
Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver injury and can arise from multiple causes; chronic heavy alcohol consumption is one recognized risk factor.
However, liver diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other metabolic conditions can also contribute to fibrosis and cirrhosis, even in individuals who do not drink heavily.
Earlier stages of alcohol-related liver damage often begin with fatty liver (steatosis) and can progress through inflammation and fibrosis toward cirrhosis, which may not be reversible once established. 1
Medical literature notes that early liver injury can occur without clear symptoms, and routine testing such as liver function tests (LFTs) and imaging like ultrasound or FibroScan can detect early structural changes; advanced cirrhosis typically exhibits structural distortion on imaging.
In his Instagram post, Dr. Vyas cautioned that no level of alcohol consumption is completely risk-free and urged people to reassess their drinking habits. He highlighted that patients without overt symptoms can nevertheless suffer significant liver damage and emphasized awareness of liver health among the public and medical community.
Cirrhosis is characterized by fibrosis, loss of normal liver architecture, and diminished liver function. Common clinical consequences include portal hypertension (increased blood pressure in liver circulation), ascites, and impaired synthesis of proteins such as albumin. Cirrhosis increases the risk of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma, and in advanced cases, liver transplantation may be considered the definitive treatment for eligible patients.
References
Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2025. “Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease.” Accessed December 31, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/alcoholinduced-liver-disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). 2025. “Cirrhosis: Definition & Facts.” Accessed December 31, 2025. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/definition-facts.