Article summary

Topic

  • Liver diseases & symptoms

A medical term for a liver that is larger than normal is hepatomegaly. This condition may be a manifestation of different diseases developing in the body.1
When the liver becomes enlarged it compresses the surrounding organs and bowels and distends its surrounding hepatic capsule, which may cause pain. The liver itself does not generate pain because there are no nerves in it.1

What are the causes of liver enlargement?

The liver becomes enlarged when it is affected by a disease. The principal causes of its enlargement which may result in “liver pain” include:

Lifestyle:2

Most common liver diseases:

How is hepatic enlargement detected?

The initial symptoms of liver disorders are often non-specific or such disorders are initially asymptomatic. For this reason, the disease can be missed, especially in its early stages. Even a liver that has become enlarged may give no symptoms. However, when this condition is a results of a liver disease it may be accompanied by:1, 2

Fatigue

Nausea and vomiting

Yellowing of the skin and eye whites (jaundice)

Abdominal pain

Trouble sleeping

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How is hepatic enlargement diagnosed?

Each condition where the liver is enlarged requires a diagnostic work-up. The basic diagnostic test in such a case is an imaging examination – ultrasound scan of the abdominal cavity.1

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