Ultrasound in the assessment of hepatomegaly: a simple technique to determine an enlarged liver using reliable and valid measurements

Introduction: Knowledge of the size of the liver is an important factor in diagnosing liver disease. Hepatomegaly is a term used to describe a liver that is enlarged beyond its normal dimensions, and ultrasound is often a front line investigation in the suspicion of hepatomegaly. This study sought to develop a reference range for the size of the normal liver using a simple, reliable and valid measurement technique. Methods: Two ultrasound images of the liver and a blood test were taken from 126 participants. Three simple linear measurements were taken from these two images and converted to a liver volume using a published equation. Results: The reference range for liver volume in adults without liver pathology was found to be 1060–2223 cm3. Conclusion: This new measurement technique and reference range is simple and easy to perform in the clinical environment. It has the potential to discriminate a liver normal in size to one with hepatomegaly