The goal of this observational study is to learn how liver cirrhosis affects the diaphragm, the main muscle used for breathing, in adults. The study will measure diaphragmatic thickness, thickening fraction, and excursion using bedside ultrasound and compare these values between patients with cirrhosis and healthy volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do patients with cirrhosis show reduced diaphragmatic function compared to healthy adults?
Does removal of ascitic fluid by paracentesis improve diaphragmatic mechanics?
Can ultrasound measurements of the diaphragm serve as a reliable non-invasive marker of sarcopenia when compared to CT scans?
Participants will:
Undergo diaphragmatic ultrasound during quiet and deep breathing
Provide clinical and laboratory data related to liver disease severity
In some cases, have ultrasound repeated before and after paracentesis
For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, CT scans will be analyzed to measure muscle mass