What it means
Radiologists usually judge liver size by measuring its length on ultrasound or CT. In many adults, a length over about 16 cm is called enlarged. Normal size still varies with height, body build and sex. A liver can also look long without being truly enlarged. One example is a Riedel lobe, a normal downward extension of the right lobe.
When it matters
Mild enlargement found by chance often does not point to any one cause and may mean little on its own. Common causes include fatty liver, alcohol, congestion from heart failure and viral infections. Less often it comes from blood conditions or other diseases. Doctors look at the liver's texture on the scan, liver blood tests and your history, and may repeat an ultrasound or order other tests if the cause is unclear.
Questions to ask your doctor
- How large is my liver compared with what is normal for my body size?
- Does the liver's texture look fatty or otherwise abnormal?
- Which blood tests would help explain why it is enlarged?
