Understanding my liver sonogram

[atticusfinch]

I've been diagnosed with extensive non-alcoholic cirrhosis.  I've been told that it is enlarged and hardened.  The doctor who took the biopsy said he could hardly get the needles inserted.  My latest liver sonogram "demonstrates enlarged, diffusely echogenic liver consistent with fatty infiltration."  It goes on to read that my liver "measures 23.4 in craniocaudal dimension.  Hypoechoic area is demonstrated in the gallbladder fossa, suggesting focal fatty sparring. . . . Common bile duct mesaures 0.6 cm. . . . Right kidney measures 12.8 cm in length."  Everything else is seemingly normal.  

I have no real point of comparison, so I'm not sure how bad (or not) my situation is.  Would you please provide me with some rough idea of what a "normal" liver would measure, as well as what "craniocaudal dimension" is.  I often feel pressure in my rib cage, mainly on the left side, but nothing I would identify as pain.  Should I be concerned?

Thank you for your time and help.

[atticusfinch]

Dear Dr. Schiano,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my query; however, I don't understand your answer in regard to two of the questions I asked, "Would you please provide me with some rough idea of what a "normal" liver would measure . . .," and "what 'craniocaudal dimension' is."  \

I do have NASH and an enlarged spleen (17cm at last measurement).  I guess I'm just confused because three doctors have told me I will need (perhaps "far" future tense) a liver transplant, but my bloodwork does look good.  That seems contradictory to me.

Again, thank you for taking the time to help.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

your liver appears enlarged because of NASH (fatty liver).  weight loss is the key--the enalrged liver can cause abdominal pain Thankfully the function appears normal from what you infer.  the pain on the left side could be an enlarged spleen.