Hepatomegaly (patient information)
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maheep Singh Sangha, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Hepatomegaly is swelling of the liver beyond its normal size. If both the liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly.
The lower edge of the liver normally comes just to the lower edge of the ribs on the right side. The edge of the liver is normally thin and firm. It cannot be felt with the fingertips below the edge of the ribs, except when you take a deep breath. It may be enlarged if a health care provider can feel it in this area.
What are the causes?
The liver is involved in many of the body's functions. It is affected by many conditions that can cause hepatomegaly, including:
- Alcohol use
- Congestive heart failure
- Glycogen storage disease
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Hereditary fructose intolerance
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Leukemia
- Niemann-Pick disease
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Reye syndrome
- Sarcoidosis
- Sclerosing cholangitis
- Steatosis (fat in the liver from metabolic problems such as diabetes, obesity, and high triglycerides, also called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH)
- Tumor metastases
Diagnosis
The doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:
- Did you notice a fullness or lump in the abdomen?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- Is there any abdominal pain?
- Is there any yellowing of the skin (jaundice)?
- Is there any vomiting?
- Is there any unusual-colored or pale-colored stools?
- Have you had a fever?
- What medications are you taking?
- How much alcohol do you drink?
Tests to determine the cause of hepatomegaly vary, depending on the suspected cause, but may include:
- Abdominal x-ray
- Abdominal ultrasound (may be done to confirm the condition if the doctor thinks your liver feels enlarged during a physical exam)
- CT scan of the abdomen
- Liver function tests, including blood clotting tests
- MRI scan of the abdomen
When to seek urgent medical care?
This condition is usually discovered by a health care provider. You may not be aware of the liver or spleen swelling.