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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
A physical exam to detect enlarged liver
Your doctor may determine your liver is enlarged by feeling your abdomen during a physical exam. The doctor can estimate the size of your liver by feeling how far it extends below your rib cage. Your doctor may also note the texture of your liver. Depending on the underlying cause, an enlarged liver may feel soft, firm or irregular. Sometimes lumps are present as well.
Additional procedures
Once your doctor determines that you have an enlarged liver, other tests and procedures may recommended to learn the cause. Additional tests and procedures may include:
- Blood tests. A sample of your blood may be tested to determine your liver enzyme levels. This can give clues about the health of your liver. Blood tests can also reveal viruses that can cause enlarged liver, such as the hepatitis viruses.
- Imaging tests. Imaging tests that allow your doctor to examine your liver include computerized tomography (CT) or ultrasound.
- Removing a sample of liver tissue for testing (liver biopsy). Your doctor may recommend a liver biopsy to collect a sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. A liver biopsy is often done using a long, thin needle that's inserted through your skin and into your liver. The needle draws out a core of tissue that is then sent to a laboratory. Lab tests may reveal what's causing your enlarged liver.
- Bergasa NV. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178983847-2/0/1492/0.html. Accessed Jan. 19, 2010.
- Hepatomegaly. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/1785151917/0/2088/0.html. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Seeff LB. Herbal hepatoxicity. Clinics in Living Disease. 2007;11:577.
- Liver wellness. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/downloads/alf_download_29.pdf. Accessed Jan. 19, 2010.
- Wolf AD, et al. Hepatomegaly in neonates and children. Pediatrics in Review. 2000;21:303.
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