Hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size and occurs mainly as a consequence of pathologic condition.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Jaundice or yellowing of the skin
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Itching
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain or mass
- Poor appetite
- Swelling of the feet and legs
- Easy bruising
- Weight loss
- Increasing abdominal size
Need to seek medical attention immediately if
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever and jaundice
- Bloody or coffee ground vomit
- Shortness of breath
- Black , tarry stools or bright red blood in stools
CAUSES OF HEPATOMEGALLY
- Metastatic cancer
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Heart and blood vessel abnormalities, or conditions that block the veins that drain the liver or bring it blood
- Liver cancer, or cancer that grows from within the liver
- Cirrhosis, or advance damage and scaring of the liver due to toxins like alcohol
- Viral hepatitis (A,B or C) or different liver infection each caused by a virus
- Alcoholic liver disease , or a range of liver damage the includes fatty deposits, inflammation and scaring due to alcohol consumption
Congestive heart failure can also cause blood to backup into the hepatic veins. These are the veins that help drain blood from the liver. When they backup, the liver will become congested and grow larger. This is called congestive hepatomegaly.
RISK FACTORS
- Autoimmune disorders, especially one of that affect the liver
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Liver cancer
- Sickle cell disease
- Obesity
DIAGNOSIS
- Ultrasound
- Complete blood count
- X-ray
- CT scan
- MRI
TREATMENT
- Chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation for liver cancer
- Liver transplant for liver damage
- Quitting alcohol or any other drug
- Treatment for lymphoma or leukemia depending upon the type, degree of spread and your general health
- Treating the source of metastatic cancer