Liver mass physical examination

Liver Mass Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differential Diagnosis
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
Evaluation of Liver Mass
Staging
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Studies
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Case Studies
Case #1
Liver mass physical examination On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Liver mass physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Liver mass physical examination
CDC on Liver mass physical examination
Liver mass physical examination in the news
Blogs on Liver mass physical examination
Directions to Hospitals Treating bone or soft tissue mass
Risk calculators and risk factors for Liver mass physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]

Overview

Physical examination findings of liver mass will depend on location and size of the tumor. Usually large liver tumors may cause pain and tenderness in palpation of the abdomen due to stretching of the liver capsule. On the other hand, liver masses with smaller size can present with no remarkable findings. Common physical examination of patients with liver mass, may include: janudice, hepatomegaly, abdominal tenderness, splenomegaly, abdominal wall vascular collaterals, and weight loss.

Physical Examination

• The following physical examination findings may be present among patients with liver mass:

General appearance

• Well-appearing
• Lethargic
• Cachectic
• Confused

Vital Signs

• Decreased SPO2
• Tachypnea
• Tachycardia
• High-grade fever
• Low-grade fever

Chest

Inspection

• Chest alopecia
• Rapid rate of breathing

Auscultation

• Decreased/absent breath sounds

Percussion

• Dull percussion
• Reduced chest expansion

Abdomen

Inspection

• Caput medusae

• Appearance of distended and engorged superficial epigastric veins

Auscultation

• Perform the liver scratch test

• Useful for liver size determination

• Cruveilhier-Baumgarten murmur

• Described as a venous hum in patients with portal hypertension
• Present in patients with cirrhosis

Percussion

• Dull percussion

Palpation

• Abdominal distention
• Hepatomegaly
• Splenomegaly

Musculoskeletal

• Peripheral edema
• Muscle rigidity
• Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

Skin

Inspection

• Pallor
• Jaundice
• Plantar and palmar erythema
• Dermatographic urticaria, or "scratching marks"
• Nail changes

• Muehrcke nails
• Terry nails, or "luekonychia"

HEENT

• Lymphadenopathy

CNS

• Confusion
• Asterixis

Extremities

• Clubbing of fingers
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Weakness
• Absent pulse

Gallery

• 

  Jaundice

• 

  Portal hypertension in hepatocellular carincoma: This image shows the abdomen of a person with cirrhosis showing massive fluid buildup and visible veins

References

Template:WikiDoc Sources