Long case Flashcards
What are the differential diagnoses for massive hepatomegaly?
Myelofibrosis
Myelodysplasia
Liver metastases
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Chronic liver disease with fatty infiltration or hepatoma
Tricuspid regurgitation (pulsatile hepatomegaly)
What size defines moderate hepatomegaly and massive hepatomegaly?
Normal liver: 11-14 cm
Moderate hepatomegaly: 15-20 cm
Massive hepatomegaly: >20cm
What are the differential diagnoses for moderate hepatomegaly?
As for massive hepatomegaly. Plus: Haemochromatosis Myelodysplasia CML Lymphoma NAFLD
What are the differential diagnoses of mild hepatomegaly?
Any/all of the causes of moderate or massive hepatomegaly
What are the differential diagnoses for marked splenomegaly?
Myelofibrosis
CML
Myelodysplasia
What are the differential diagnoses for moderate splenomegaly?
Lymphoma
CLL
PRV
Portal hypertension (with CLD, liver may be small due to cirrhosis)
What are the differential diagnoses for mild splenomegaly?
PRV, ET Haemolytic anaemia ITP Sarcoid, amyloid Portal hypertension, with signs of CLD
What are the possible causes of hepatomegaly in CLD?
Chronic liver disease with portal hypertension is a possible differential, however the liver would be shrunken with cirrhosis
Hepatomegaly in chronic liver disease suggests:
- Fatty liver (NAFLD or EtOH related)
- Hepatitis
- Haemochromatosis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma or infiltration
- Infiltrative disorders include: lymphoma, amyloid, connective tissue disorders
What are infiltrative disorders that may affect the liver, causing hepatomegaly?
Amyloid
Sarcoid
Connective tissue disorders
What are the differential diagnoses for massive hepatomegaly and marked splenomegaly?
Myelofibrosis
Myelodysplasia (CML, CMML)
What are the differentials for moderate splenomegaly and moderate hepatomegaly?
Same as for massive (myelofibrosis, CML, CMML)
with the addition of:
CLL
Lymphoma
What are the findings in a patient with portal hypertension?
Ascites Bleeding/varices/purpura/thrombocytopaenia Caput medusae Diminished liver Enlarged spleen
What are the indicators of decompensated cirrhosis in a patient with chronic liver disease?
Albumin Bilirubin Coagulopathy/Thrombocytopaenia Distension (abdo) ie ascites Encephalopathy Flap
Recent variceal bleeding
What features differentiate the spleen from a left renal mass?
- Spleen: moves down and medially with respiration. Renal mass: moves down but NOT medially with respiration.
- Spleen: has a notch on its upper border. (Splenic size needs to be at least moderate for the notch to be appreciated).
- Spleen: is not ballotable. Renal mass is ballotable.
- Enlarged spleen: Cannot palpate above the spleen.
- Splenomegaly will cause dullness in traube’s space.
What are the margins of Traube’s space?
Superior: Left sixth rib
Lateral: Left mid axillary line
Inferior: Left costal margin