Riedels Liver Lobe

[lilly1021]

Hi. Anyone have information on Riedel's Liver Lobe? I had MRI for right flank pain. Report says 21cm in craniocaudal length, no disease. Liver panels normal. I'm 5'2'", if that matters.Could right flank pain be a result of Riedel's lobe? No other MRI findings.

[Jenerous]

Ha ha, just realised you posted this question 2 years ago... how's your liver doing two years down the track?

[Jenerous]

Hi!  I'm Jenny: female, 44, healthy and moderately fit.  Good diet, don't take drugs, but do enjoy a drink now and then.  I have just been diagnosed with Riedel's lobe too, when I was getting an ultrasound for pain in that region.  They thought I had gallstones, but all clear!  I too wonder if my larger liver is just crowding the area and creating pressure, as although I'm tallish (5' 6"), I have a short waist. Your symptoms sound just like mine: not exactly painful, just irritating, like a mild stitch, or a too-full tummy.  Anyway, going back to the doc soon to find out more.  Have you found out more about your pain? I'd like to compare notes as I've never heard of this weird liver variation before!  Apparently it's 3 times more common in women, too.  
☺

[Dee1956]

Has anyone taken a look at your gall bladder?  I am sorry if you mentioned it and I did not see it.
The gall bladder is so close to the liver that it could be causing referred pain.
Just a thought.
I hope you can find some answers
Take Care
Dee

[lilly1021]

Thanks for the info. I'm not concerned. It's just weird anatomy. I thought that maybe the pressure of the liver was causing flank pain, which feels more like constant pressure. I'm petite, so maybe small rib cage, short stature has something to do with it. Big liver crammed into small body? lol

[flyinlynn]

found some info about Riedel's lobe seemt to be principally and anotomical variation

http://radiopaedia.org/articles/riedel-lobe-3

Riedel lobe is an common anatomical variant of the liver to be aware of because it can simulate a mass.

Its misidentification as a pathologic abdominal mass has led to surgery. Pathology can also occur within it (e.g. malignancy or even torsion) and cause atypical hepatic symptoms low in the pelvis 2, 4.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatomegaly

Riedel's lobe is an extended, tongue-like, right lobe of the liver. It is not pathological; it is a normal anatomical variant and may extend into the pelvis. It is often mistaken for a distended gall bladder or liver tumour.

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine1992/39/2/39_2_87/_pdf

Riedel's Lobe of the Liver and Its Clinical Implication

As far as clinical implications, Riedel's lobe or extreme
downward elongation of the right lobe is of clinical importance
since it could be one of causes of palpable abdominal
mass. However, it is very easy to diagnose as a downwardelongation
of the liver or a part of the normal liver by using US,
CT, MRI, or radionuclide imaging. In that sense, it is questionable
whether the term "Riedel's lobe" per se is actually important
or not as Lane pointed out (1 1). He described that Riedel's
lobe is a simple variant of liver

I did not see any reference to pain from the world wide web so it would seem this anotomical variation is not generally associated with pain.

Also the liver has no nerve endinge to sense the membrane around the liver does have pain sensors and the main reason they would react is due to an enlarged liver pushing up against it

https://www.boundless.com/physiology/textbooks/boundless-anatomy-and-physiology-textbook/tissues-4/membranes-62/serous-membranes-390-1134/

Serous Membranes

In anatomy, a serous membrane (or serosa) is a smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells, which secrete serous fluid, and a thin connective tissue layer. Serous membranes line and enclose several body cavities, known as serous cavities, where they secrete a lubricating fluid which reduces friction from muscle movement. Serosa is not to be confused with adventitia, a connective tissue layer which binds together structures rather than reducing friction between them.

Each serous membrane is composed of a secretory epithelial layer and a connective tissue layer underneath. The epithelial layer, known as mesothelium, consists of a single layer of avascular flat nucleated cells (simple squamous epithelium) which produce the lubricating serous fluid. This fluid has a consistency similar to thin mucus. These cells are bound tightly to the underlying connective tissue. This connective tissue layer provides the blood vessels and nerves for the overlying secretory cells, and also serves as the binding layer which allows the whole serous membrane to adhere to organs and other structures.


Source: Boundless. “Serous Membranes.” Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. Boundless, 27 Jun. 2014. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/physiology/textbooks/boundless-anatomy-and-physiology-textbook/tissues-4/membranes-62/serous-membranes-390-1134/


I hope this is adequate information for your concerns

[lilly1021]

I am aware, i spoke with Dr. I was just curious if anyone else had experienced flank pain with Riedels lobe.

[Jaynelions]

Mine is 21cm long

[Jaynelions]

Yes i have so much pain !!!!! And all they Saïd was we don't know why!!!!!

[flyinlynn]

Hi

Right flank pain could be anything or nothing.

We here are not doctors or medical professionals. Your best and first choice for medical diagnosis and advice is you doctor. Especially the one who requested your tests.

Goos luck to you
Lynn