Hepatomegaly
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:
- malignancy/cellular infiltrate
- acquired hepatic conditions
- acquired non-hepatic conditions
-
congenital anomalies
- biochemical
- anatomical
- syndromes
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
- Riedel lobe (normal variant)
See also
-<a title="Wilson disease" href="/articles/wilson-disease-2">Wilson disease</a> <sup>3</sup>- +<a href="/articles/wilson-disease-2">Wilson disease</a> <sup>3</sup>
- +</li>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/chronic-granulomatous-disease-of-childhood">chronic granulomatous disease of childhood </a><sup>3</sup>