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What Does My RUQ Abdominal Ultrasound Report Indicate?
Question: I had an RUQ abdominal ultrasound in 2012 that showed an enlarged liver length of 14.8 cm. Parenchyma homogenous. I recently had a CT with contrast that showed the liver at 19cm. My LFT's are normal. I am unaware of the last time I had a hepatitis panel but I believe it was about 3-4 years ago and it was normal. However, I have not had a lipid panel done in quite some time. Of course, I have not been told this by any physician. I reviewed my films and the impression written by the radiologists. Discovery of this issue was incidental to RLQ pain and subsequent ovarian cysts. Historically, I was prescribed pain medication, anxiolytics, hormones, antihistamines and anti depressants. Of course, I have discontinued all these medications. My questions are, 1) Why has this never been addressed by my physicians 2) Could this be fatty liver as I have gained a lot of weight 3) How long will it take for my liver to heal and get to a normal size with discontinuation of mediations and proper diet and exercise?
Brief Answer:
Diet changes might change mild fatty liver to normal in 6 months to a year
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The liver is a large storage organ and your liver appears to be enlarged if it measures 19 cm.
There are many causes of liver showing fatty changes
(i) Increased intake of fatty foods and alcohol
(ii) Over weight and obese patients.
(iii) Those who have fatty liver running in family members.
(iv) Any liver condition that is changing appearance of liver.
(v) Mild fatty liver can also be there in many normal people
(vi) Medications like corticosteroids, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications and, tamoxifen cause fatty liver.
If the physician is convinced that the liver appearance is due to a benign cause and if the liver function tests are normal then only lifestyle and diet modification is recommended.
2. A little amount of fat in liver is normal and when this balance is altered there is fatty liver. Obesity increases the incidence of fatty liver as the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat in the liver. Fatty liver and weight gain are seen together in many patients.
3. It might take 6 months to a year for the liver to lose its extra fat content if you stop the liver offensive medications and improve your diet with lifestyle modification. Rarely a slight amount of increased fat might persist in the liver and this is not a serious concern. In cases where the fat content is much increased, getting back to normal liver is difficult.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Diet changes might change mild fatty liver to normal in 6 months to a year
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The liver is a large storage organ and your liver appears to be enlarged if it measures 19 cm.
There are many causes of liver showing fatty changes
(i) Increased intake of fatty foods and alcohol
(ii) Over weight and obese patients.
(iii) Those who have fatty liver running in family members.
(iv) Any liver condition that is changing appearance of liver.
(v) Mild fatty liver can also be there in many normal people
(vi) Medications like corticosteroids, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications and, tamoxifen cause fatty liver.
If the physician is convinced that the liver appearance is due to a benign cause and if the liver function tests are normal then only lifestyle and diet modification is recommended.
2. A little amount of fat in liver is normal and when this balance is altered there is fatty liver. Obesity increases the incidence of fatty liver as the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat in the liver. Fatty liver and weight gain are seen together in many patients.
3. It might take 6 months to a year for the liver to lose its extra fat content if you stop the liver offensive medications and improve your diet with lifestyle modification. Rarely a slight amount of increased fat might persist in the liver and this is not a serious concern. In cases where the fat content is much increased, getting back to normal liver is difficult.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
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. Prasad
Answered by
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