Hepatomegaly

Changed by Ammar Haouimi, 4 Aug 2018

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Hepatomegaly refers to an increase in size or enlargement of the liver

Pathology

Aetiology

Hepatomegaly can result from a vast range of pathology including, but not limited to, the following:

Radiographic features

Assessment of liver size is commonly made on ultrasound or CT, although gross hepatomegaly may be apparent on abdominal radiograph.

For the adult liver:

  • midclavicular line averages 10-12.5 cm in craniocaudal length 2
    •  a liver that is longer than 15.5-16 cm in the midclavicular line (MCL) is considered enlarged
  • average transverse diameter is 20-23 cm at the level of the upper pole of the right kidney 2

In practice, however, assessment is often subjective.

Features that support hepatomegaly include 1:

  • extension of the right lobe inferior to the lower pole of the right kidney
  • rounding of the hepatic inferior border

Differential diagnosis

See also

  • +<li>
  • +<a title="hepatic tuberculosis / histoplasmosis" href="/articles/hepatic-tuberculosis-histoplasmosis">hepatic </a><a title="tuberculosis / histoplasmosis" href="/articles/tuberculosis-histoplasmosis">tuberculosis / histoplasmosis</a> <sup>3</sup>
  • +</li>

References changed:

  • 3. Dähnert W. Radiology Review Manual. (2011) <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9781609139438">ISBN: 9781609139438</a><span class="ref_v4"></span>

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