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What Does "hypoplastic Left Lobe With Compensatory Hyertrophy" Mean?
Question: my wife aged 48 is a chronic Hep b carrier ( past 20 yrs with a mild infection ) .she also has a son aged 15 years. A recent CT scan of abdomen showed "hypoplastic left lobe with compensatory hyertrophy of right lobe - normal variant". why does this mean?
Brief Answer:
Under development of liver by birth, not worrisome
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Hypoplasia (under development) of the left hepatic lobe is rare but slightly more common than the right-sided anomalies; however, these are still rare occurrences. It is an extension of the normal appearance with no significant risks to disease or abnormality associated to it. The right lobe of liver is larger in size because it is doing most of the liver function due to smaller left lobe.
Before making a diagnosis of hypoplasia of the left lobe of the liver, it is important to exclude others causes of acquired atrophy of the left hepatic lobe, caused by cirrhosis, malignancy, malnutrition or rarely vascular compromise. This must have been considered by your doctor before writing the report.
There is no visible sign of Hepatitis B infection in the liver. She should continue regular follow up for Hepatitis B effects on liver in the coming years as suggested by your doctor.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Under development of liver by birth, not worrisome
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Hypoplasia (under development) of the left hepatic lobe is rare but slightly more common than the right-sided anomalies; however, these are still rare occurrences. It is an extension of the normal appearance with no significant risks to disease or abnormality associated to it. The right lobe of liver is larger in size because it is doing most of the liver function due to smaller left lobe.
Before making a diagnosis of hypoplasia of the left lobe of the liver, it is important to exclude others causes of acquired atrophy of the left hepatic lobe, caused by cirrhosis, malignancy, malnutrition or rarely vascular compromise. This must have been considered by your doctor before writing the report.
There is no visible sign of Hepatitis B infection in the liver. She should continue regular follow up for Hepatitis B effects on liver in the coming years as suggested by your doctor.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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