Hepatomegaly
1497232
219214448
2008-06-14T03:21:41Z
J.delanoy
2372780
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/72.39.49.228|72.39.49.228]] to last version by 202.133.10.12 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{SignSymptom infobox |
Name = Hepatomegaly |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|16|.0|r|16}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|789.1}} |
}}
'''Hepatomegaly''' is the condition of having an enlarged [[liver]]. It is a nonspecific [[sign (medicine)| medical sign]] having many causes, which can broadly be broken down into [[infection]], direct toxicity, [[hepatic tumour]]s, or [[metabolic disorder]]. Often, hepatomegaly will present as an [[abdominal mass]]. Depending on the cause, it may sometimes present along with [[jaundice]].
==Diagnosis==
After a thorough [[medical history]] and [[physical examination]], [[blood test]]s should be drawn. An important series of blood tests are the [[liver function test]]s, which give a good impression of the patient's broad metabolic picture.
An [[ultrasound]] of the liver can reliably detect a dilated [[biliary duct]] system, which helps distinguish [[parenchyma]]l liver disease from extrahepatic [[bile duct obstruction]]. Ultrasound can also detect the characteristic texture of a [[liver cirrhosis|cirrhotic liver]], and can guide [[fine needle aspiration]] of [[cyst]]s, [[abscess]]es and tumours.
[[Computed tomography]] (CT) can help obtain more accurate [[anatomy|anatomical]] information, and is unaffected by the [[obesity]] or the presence of [[bowel gas]]es.
==Common Causes==
{{incomplete}}
===Infective===
*[[Glandular fever]] (Infectious mononucleosis) This is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
*[[Hepatitis]] (Although not all hepatitis viruses cause hepatomegaly)
*[[Liver abscess]](pyogenic abscess and amoebic abscess)
*[[Malaria]]
*[[Amoeba]] infections
*[[Hydatid cyst]]
*[[Leptospirosis]]
*[[Actinomycosis]]
===Neoplastic===
*[[Hemangioma]]s
*[[Hepatocellular carcinoma]]
*[[Myeloma]]
*[[Leukaemia]]
*[[Lymphoma]]
===Cirrhotic===
*Portal
*Biliary
*Cardiac
*[[Haemochromatosis]]
===Metabolic===
*[[Fatty infiltration]]
*[[Amyloidosis]]
*[[Gaucher's disease]]
===Drugs and Toxins===
*[[alcoholism]]
*[[poison|poisoning]]
*[[drug use|drugs]]
===Congenital===
*[[Hemolytic anemia]]
*Riedel's lobe
*[[Polycystic disease]]
===Others===
*[[Hunter syndrome]]
*[[Zellweger's syndrome]]
*[[Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiency]]
*[[Right ventricular Failure]]
==See also==
* [[Hepatosplenomegaly]]
==External links==
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ National Institute of Health's Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia]: [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003275.htm Hepatomegaly]
* [http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/home.jsp Merck Manual]: [http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section4/chapter38/38c.jsp Hepatomegaly]
{{Digestive system and abdomen symptoms and signs}}
[[Category:Medical signs]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]
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