Hepatomegaly and Splenomegaly
An enlarged liver is also known as hepatomegaly. It is not a comorbidity but a common symptom of most liver illnesses, including NAFLD. On the physical examination of NAFLD patients, mild to severe hepatomegaly is one of the most prevalent clinical findings.
The liver’s enlargement might make the stomach seem bigger. A man’s liver is typically 10.5 centimeters in circumference, while a woman has a more modest 7 centimeters. In contrast, those with hepatomegaly have a liver that measures more than 15 centimeters above the midclavicular line.
Moreover, the spleen is affected by disorders of the liver and hepatic symptoms because the two organs work together. Splenomegaly occurs when the spleen also grows in size due to liver enlargement. Studies reveal that the spleen enlarges in most NAFLD patients. Splenomegaly was strongly linked to low levels of the acid cholesterol ester hydrolase deficiency in NAFLD patients, which is essential for maintaining proper intracellular lipid balance. An enlarged spleen is longer than 12 cm and heavier than 400 grams.
Liver cirrhosis and liver scarring may reduce the amount of blood that can flow through the liver, potentially leading to a backlog of blood in the portal vein. This might cause portal hypertension or high pressure in the portal vein.
