Hepatosplenomegaly means that both the liver and the spleen are enlarged. The liver and spleen are connected via the portal vein system. When there is a problem in one organ, it can also cause a problem in the other. The causes for hepatosplenomegaly are varied, and include obesity, infection, anemia, heart failure, cirrhosis, and leukemia/lymphoma (blood cell cancers).
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign (non-cancerous) lesion that consists of liver cells surrounding a central scar. While the exact cause of FNH is unknown, it is thought to occur as a response to arterial malformations (either acquired or present at birth) within the liver. FNH is the second most prevalent liver lesion (the first being hemangioma), usually found incidentally on imaging, and typically does not cause symptoms or require treatment.
Iron is an important nutrient that helps the hemoglobin in blood cells carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. Iron overload (hemochromatosis) is a disorder in which the body has too much iron build-up. This extra iron is stored in the joints and organs; if this process is not controlled, it can cause joint and organ damage and/or failure.
Masses are growths in the liver. They could be harmless and benign or something more significant such as cancer (e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma).
Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is characterized by the presence of multiple fluid-filled liver cysts. Although a clear definition of PLD is absent, current literature defines PLD as having more than 20 liver cysts.
The liver has two main portions - one right lobe and one left lobe. Sometimes the right lobe can have an anatomic variant where it appears to have a “tongue” that is still part of the right lobe and is called “Riedel's lobe.” It is a benign (non-cancerous) condition and no further evaluation or follow-up is needed.
