Hepatomegaly - Overview

Definition of Hepatomegaly:

Hepatomegaly is swelling of the liver beyond its normal size.

If both the liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly.

See also: Splenomegaly

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 felt with the finger tips below the edge of the ribs. It may be considered enlarged if a doctor can feel it in this area.

Common Causes:

The liver is involved in many bodily functions and is affected by a variety of conditions, many of which result in hepatomegaly.

Causes of hepatomegaly may include:

• Alcohol use
• Congestive heart failure
• Glycogen storage disease
• Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Hereditary fructose intolerance
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Leukemia
• Neuroblastoma
• 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)
• Tumor metastases