Hepatomegaly refers to abnormal enlargement of the liver. On ultrasound, the liver is considered enlarged when its midclavicular line length exceeds approximately 15 to 16 centimeters, though normal values vary with body size. Hepatomegaly has many causes, including fatty liver disease, hepatitis, congestive heart failure, alcohol use, hemochromatosis, and infiltrative diseases like lymphoma. The sonographer not only measures liver size but also evaluates the liver’s echogenicity, surface contour, and vascular patterns to help determine the underlying cause. A liver that extends below the right kidney inferiorly or reaches significantly across the midline can also suggest enlargement even without a formal measurement.
Sonography Term