Hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver. The most common causes in the UK are cirrhosis, cardiac failure and secondary malignancy.
Causes
Hepatitis/Infection
Biliary Tract Disease
Malignancy
Figure 34 CT scan of the abdomen.
Numerous liver metastases are seen in both the right and left lobes of the liver.
Metabolic
History
Hepatitis/infection
Predisposing factors include a history of contact with hepatitis, blood transfusion, drug abuse, homosexuals, haemophiliacs, health workers, the institutionalised (e.g. homes, prison) and travel abroad to endemic areas. Amoebiasis occurs worldwide, and hepatitis B is prevalent in the tropics and Mediterranean areas. Hydatid disease is more common in sheep-rearing countries, e.g. Australia, Africa, Wales. Leptospirosis can result from swimming in rat-infested waters. History of alcohol abuse predisposes to alcoholic cirrhosis. Chronic active hepatitis should be considered with a history of alcohol, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. In the majority of hepatitis/infection cases, the patient presents with general malaise, pyrexia, weight loss and jaundice.
