 Liver AVMs may be suspected because of abnormal liver function tests in the blood , because the symptoms of heart failure develop , or because of jaundice or other symptoms of liver dysfunction . The most reliable initial screening test is Doppler ultrasonography of the liver ; this has a very high sensitivity for identifying vascular lesions in the liver . If necessary , contrast @-@ enhanced CT may be used to further characterize AVMs . It is extremely common to find incidental nodules on liver scans , most commonly due to focal nodular hyperplasia ( FNH ) , as these are a hundredfold times more common in HHT compared to the general population . FNH is regarded as harmless . Generally , tumor markers and additional imaging modalities are used to differentiate between FNH and malignant tumors of the liver . Liver biopsy is discouraged in people with HHT as the risk of hemorrhage from liver AVMs may be significant . Liver scans may be useful if someone is suspected of HHT , but does not meet the criteria ( see below ) unless liver lesions can be demonstrated . 
