Hepatomegaly

Hepatomegaly is an increase in the size of the liver, in which the lower edge of the liver falls below the costal arch and becomes palpable.

The causes of hepatomegaly can be different:

  1. Congestive liver in heart failure - excessive blood supply to the liver leads to its enlargement.

  2. Inflammatory liver diseases - hepatitis of various etiologies cause swelling and enlargement of the liver.

  3. Infiltrative lesions - fatty liver with metabolic syndrome, amyloidosis, hemochromatosis.

  4. Liver tumors - both benign (hemangioma) and malignant (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases).

  5. Diseases of the biliary tract - cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Diagnosis of hepatomegaly includes laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, CT or MRI of the liver. Treatment depends on the identified cause of liver enlargement.



Hepatomegaly is a medical term that means an increase in the size of the liver to such a size that it begins to be palpable below the costal margin. This phenomenon may be associated with various diseases and conditions of the body.

The causes of hepatomegaly may be excessive blood supply to the liver. For example, in heart failure, the heart cannot circulate enough blood, causing fluid to accumulate in the body, including the liver. As a result, the liver may increase in size.

Another cause of hepatomegaly may be inflammation of the liver. For example, hepatitis can lead to liver inflammation and enlargement. In this case, the liver may be painful to the touch.

The presence of an infiltrate, such as fatty deposits, can also lead to hepatomegaly. This is observed in obesity and other metabolic disorders. The liver becomes fatty and increases in size.

Finally, a tumor in the liver can also cause it to enlarge. A tumor can be either benign or malignant.

To diagnose hepatomegaly, you must consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct an examination and may order additional tests, such as blood tests, ultrasound of the liver, computed tomography and other methods.

Treatment for hepatomegaly depends on its cause. If hepatomegaly is associated with heart failure, then treatment is aimed at eliminating the heart failure itself. If the cause is inflammation of the liver, then it is the inflammation that needs to be treated. If hepatomegaly is due to the presence of a tumor, surgery may be required.

In any case, hepatomegaly requires careful medical supervision and an integrated approach to treatment. Therefore, if an enlarged liver is detected, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.



Hepatomegaly is a concept that describes liver pathology, characterized by an increase in its size. If the growth of an organ becomes noticeable to the naked eye (during palpation), it can already be called hepatomegaly (translated from Latin as “large liver”). Hepatomegaly can be caused by various reasons, ranging from chronic liver diseases to severe injuries to the organ. In this article, we will look at what causes an increase in liver size (Hepatomegalia), how to diagnose it, and what treatment methods exist for this condition.

So, Hepatomegaly or Hépatomegalia (synonym - hepatomegaly lat. "hepa" liver + lat. mag - large) is a clear enlargement of the left lobe of the liver, which is determined not only by ordinary (sesamoid) fingers through the anterior abdominal wall, but also by palpation percussion