Definition

Hepatomegaly is the enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. Hepatosplenomegaly is enlargement of both the liver and the spleen -- see splenomegaly.

Liver fattening, CT scan
Liver with disproportional fattening, CT scan
Hepatomegaly

Alternative Names

Considerations

The lower edge of the liver normally comes just to the lower edge of the ribs (costal margin) on the right side. In its normal state, the edge of the liver is thin and firm, and it cannot be palpated (felt with the finger tips) below the edge of the costal margin.

If the liver becomes enlarged enough that it can be palpated below the costal margin, the patient may have hepatomegaly. The diagnosis must be confirmed by an imaging study of the liver.

The liver is involved in many bodily functions, and is affected by a variety of conditions, many of which result in hepatomegaly. General causes include infection (viral, bacterial, or parasitic), malignancy (cancer or tumors), anemias, storage diseases, heart failure, congenital heart disease, toxins, and metabolic disturbances.

Common Causes

• Alcohol
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Congestive heart failure
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Leukemia
• Tumor metastases
• Neuroblastoma
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Niemann-Pick disease
• Hereditary fructose intolerance
• Glycogen storage disease
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Sclerosing cholangitis
• Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)
• Reye's syndrome
• Steatosis (fat in the liver from metabolic problems such as diabetes, obesity, and high triglycerides)

Home Care

Contact your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if

This condition is usually discovered by the health care provider, and the affected individual may or may not have been aware of its presence.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:

• When did you notice a fullness or lump in the abdomen?
• How much has it changed or enlarged?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• 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 any fevers?
• What medications are you taking?
• How much alcohol do you consume?

Diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the hepatomegaly vary depending on the suspected cause, but may include:

• Abdominal x-ray
• Ultrasound of the liver
• CT scan of the abdomen
• Liver function tests, including blood clotting profiles
• Other tests for suspected causes

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to hepatomegaly to your personal medical record.

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Review Date:1/23/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.