What does a target sign on liver ultrasound mean?

A target sign describes a lesion with a central area and surrounding rim that look different from the nearby liver. Radiologists use this pattern as one clue among the lesion’s size, number, blood flow, borders, and your medical history. Similar appearances can have more than one explanation.

Liver metastases are cancer deposits that have travelled from another organ. They may occur with cancers such as bowel or pancreatic cancer, but an ultrasound appearance cannot establish the source or confirm spread alone. A contrast CT, MRI, comparison with earlier scans, or tissue sampling may be considered.

Arrange a review of the full report with the clinician who requested the scan. Ask whether the finding is new, whether there are other lesions, and which test can clarify it. Bring previous scans and information about any known cancer, liver disease, weight change, or abdominal symptoms.

Treatment depends on the origin, number and position of lesions, and your general health. Options can include systemic treatment, surgery such as [Liver Resection](/treatments/surgical-oncology/liver-resection/), or [Tumour Ablation](/treatments/surgical-oncology/tumour-ablation/).

Contact your clinician promptly for increasing jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, persistent vomiting, worsening right-sided abdominal pain, confusion, or marked swelling. Seek urgent help for severe pain, vomiting blood, black stools, fainting, or sudden confusion.

Ask what the target sign means in the context of your scan, whether contrast imaging is needed, and whether a biopsy would change management. If metastasis is confirmed, ask how [Liver Metastases](/conditions/liver-metastases/) are being staged and whether [Chemotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/chemotherapy/) is relevant.