Hepatomegaly (synonyms: Hepatomegaly; Liver hypertrophy; Liver swelling; Liver enlargement; ICD-10-GM R16.0: Hepatomegaly, not elsewhere classified) refers to abnormal enlargement of the liver.
The normal volume of the liver is closely related to body weight. The normal range in the right midclavicular line (line running perpendicularly through the middle of the clavicle) is approximately 12-14 cm sagittally (“running from front to back”) and 10-12 cm above the epigastrium (upper abdomen; abdominal region between the costal arch and the belly button). Measurement of liver size is of limited utility because of the considerable variation in normal.
In many cases, there is a concomitant abnormal enlargement of the spleen, which is then referred to as hepatosplenomegaly.
Hepatomegaly may be acute or chronic.
Hepatomegaly can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
Course and prognosis: Liver size or the rate of growth of the liver and tenderness to touch are important diagnostic criteria. Course and prognosis depend on the underlying disease.
