Liver measurement on sono

[susan400]

I am just curious, what are your general measurements looking like when you've had a liver sono? I had one the other day and mine liver measurement was 18.  I know by what they say that this is considered enlarged-they say that on the report.  Just curious how it related in relationship to other heppers. They are having me come back next week for some repeat testing on my thyroid.  As if, those vampires didn't get enough blood out of me when they took the 11 vials yesterday... LOL.     Still waiting on the fibrospect results.  Susan400

[flyinlynn]

Thanks Dee

[susan400]

I think that they look at my previous sono because they also compare it to the other ones I've had.  I've been getting them done at the same place. Approximately every 6 mon., some times stretched out further than that, if I was on treatment during the interval time span. I have a normal BMI is that is of any help. 5ft-'7in tall  

[Dee1956]

Hi Lynn, yes it is the same thing, I hope you are doing well

[flyinlynn]

Is a sono the same as an ultrasound or is it something different?

I have always been sent in for ultrasound testing every six months like what is done for pregnant women with the detector and the gel.

Is that the same thing?

Thanks
Lynn

[Dee1956]

Hey there I did a search and found an answer that Hector once gave someone, it was good I thought but then I think all of his answers are very good :)

While their are "average" sizes of livers amongst the population, there is no "normal" sized liver that is used as a factor in determining whether your liver is larger (hepatomegaly) or smaller than it "should" be.
Each person's liver has a "size" relative to their body weight. Livers are measured by volume. The liver's volume is related to a person's body weight, this is typically between 2 and about 2.7% in normal healthy subjects. When your liver is inflamed and enlarged the it is enlarged for you, based on your weight and by the space in your body that the liver normally occupies. (This is also true of an enlarge spleen in cirrhotic patients).

Besides using a sonogram or other imaging technology a gastroenterologist or hepatologist can estimate the extent of inflammation of your liver by feeling how far it extends below your rib cage and by the texture of the liver.

[Dee1956]

Good question Sue, really good answer Deb.
I was never given measurements, just told it was slightly enlarged back when I had HCV.  I remember my spleen was slightly enlarged at 13.

I don't know if this will help at all but when I was concerned about my enlarged liver, my GP said, well when it gets bad it shrinks which really upset me but gave me a different perspective.  

I am praying for you.  Dee

[Ekkiemom]

Hi Susan,
I found this info I hope it will help a bit....deb
OBJECTIVE:
We sought to determine the size of the liver in a nonselected population sample to establish normal and reference values and to study potential factors influencing liver size.
METHODS:
A total of 2080 subjects (983 male and 1097 female; age range, 18-88 years) underwent prospective ultrasound examination to determine the size of the liver. Subjects also underwent physical examination and completed a short standardized interview questionnaire covering potential factors influencing liver size. Data were evaluated descriptively. The influence of multiple variables on liver size was studied by means of a covariance analysis.
RESULTS:
The average measured liver diameter (midclavicular line) +/- SD was 14.0 +/- 1.7 cm (median, 13.9 cm; range, 9.4-21.3 cm; average in male subjects, 14.5 +/- 1.6 cm; and average in female subjects, 13.5 +/- 1.7 cm). Results of the multivariate analysis showed that the factors body mass index, body height, sex, age, and (in male subjects) frequent alcohol consumption exert an influence over liver size measured at the midclavicular line.
CONCLUSIONS:
The sonographic measurement of liver size at the midclavicular line was shown to be an easy and practical method for routine use. Only in 239 (11.5%) of 2080 subjects did the size of the liver measured at the midclavicular line exceed 16 cm. Body mass index and body height are the most important factors associated with the diameter of the liver measured at the midclavicular line.