Hepatomegaly / Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly
Incidental findings Lymphadenopathy
+ve signs Spleen enlarged at … cm
Differential diagnosis Splenomegaly, Polycystic kidney; Causes below
Function
Tests FBC – for pancytopaenia
Blood film – for ↓RBC/platelets/neutrophils
USS abdomen
±Bone marrow biopsy
Hepatomegaly
Incidental findings CCF, cachexia
+ve signs Liver is palpable … cm below costal margin. ?Tender/smooth/firm
Differential diagnosis Hepatomegaly, kidney; Causes below
Function Stigmata chronic liver disease / decompensation
Tests
Massive spleen
CML
Myelofibrosis
(Malaria)
(Kala-azar)
Moderate spleen
Myeloproliferative
Lymphoproliferative
Cirrhosis
Liver
Cirrhosis
Metastasis
CCF
Liver + spleen
Myeloproliferative
Lymphoproliferative
Cirrhosis

Notes

  • Causes of small spleen same as moderate with addition of infections e.g. SBE, glandular fever.
  • If hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy think of CLL/lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis.
  • Other causes hepatosplenomegaly: Hepatitis, brucellosis, Weil’s, Toxoplamosis, CMV, Pernicious anaemia, storage disorders, amyloidosis.
  • Other causes splenomegaly: brucellois, sarcoid, ITP, Felty’s, amyloid, gauchers (massive).
  • ∆∆ Of hepatosplenomegaly is polycystic kidney disease.
  • Myeloproliferative = CML, myelofibrosis, PCRV, essential thrombocythaemia.
  • Lymphoproliferative = CLL, lymphoma, waldenstroms.
  • Normal upper border liver is 5th IC midclavicular line.