Enlarged Liver Overview
Learn About Enlarged Liver
Enlarged liver refers to swelling of the liver beyond its normal size. Hepatomegaly is another word to describe this problem.
If both the liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly.
Hepatosplenomegaly; Enlarged liver; Liver enlargement
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.
The liver is involved in many of the body's functions. Its function is affected by many conditions that can cause hepatomegaly, including:
- Alcohol use (especially alcohol abuse)
- Cancer metastases (spread of cancer to the liver)
- 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 cholangitis
- Reye syndrome
- Sarcoidosis
- Sclerosing cholangitis
- Portal vein thrombosis
- Steatosis (fat in the liver from metabolic problems such as diabetes, obesity, and high triglycerides, also called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH)
This condition is most often detected by a provider. You may not be aware of the liver or spleen swelling.
The provider will examine you and ask questions such as:
- Did you notice fullness or a 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?
- Has your urine appeared to be darker than usual (brownish)?
- Have you had a fever?
- What medicines are you taking including over-the-counter and herbal medicines?
- 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 provider 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
Teodoro Vargas is a Family Medicine provider in Pacific, Missouri. Dr. Vargas and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Enlarged Liver. His top areas of expertise are Alzheimer's Disease, Gerstmann Syndrome, Intestinal Cancer, and Colorectal Cancer. Dr. Vargas is currently accepting new patients.
Ssm Health Care Group
Brent Neuschwander is a Hepatologist in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dr. Neuschwander and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Enlarged Liver. His top areas of expertise are Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Hepatitis, Visceromegaly, Endoscopy, and Hemorrhoidectomy.
Mercy Clinic Gastroenterology LLC
Roshani Desai is a Gastroenterologist in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dr. Desai and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Enlarged Liver. Her top areas of expertise are Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Ascites, Visceromegaly, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.
Summary: This phase II trial studies how well ruxolitinib works in treating patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome or primary eosinophilic disorders.
Summary: Glycogen storage disease type III (GSD-III) or Cori/Forbes disease, is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the AGL gene, which codes for the glycogen debranching enzyme (GDE) involved in the release of glucose-1P from glycogen branches. Abnormal glycogen accumulation is responsible for frequent hypoglycaemia and symptoms in the liver and striated muscles (GSD-IIIa), although some patients p...
Published Date: May 02, 2023
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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