Differential Diagnosis for Hepatomegaly and Fatty Infiltration of the Liver
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This is the most common cause of hepatomegaly and fatty liver infiltration, often associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Alcoholic liver disease: Prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to fatty liver, hepatomegaly, and potentially progress to more severe liver damage.
- Hepatic steatosis due to other metabolic disorders: Conditions like lipodystrophy, Weber-Christian disease, and other rare metabolic disorders can cause fatty liver.
- Drug-induced liver injury: Certain medications can cause fatty liver and hepatomegaly as a side effect.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Wilson's disease: A genetic disorder leading to copper accumulation in the liver, which can cause fatty liver, hepatomegaly, and potentially severe liver damage if not treated.
- Hemochromatosis: A genetic disorder causing iron overload, which can lead to liver damage, hepatomegaly, and fatty liver.
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: A genetic disorder that can cause liver disease, hepatomegaly, and fatty liver, particularly in children and young adults.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Abetalipoproteinemia: A rare genetic disorder affecting fat absorption and leading to fatty liver.
- Gaucher's disease: A lysosomal storage disorder that can cause hepatomegaly and fatty liver due to the accumulation of glucocerebroside.
- Glycogen storage diseases: Certain types of these diseases can lead to fatty liver and hepatomegaly due to the accumulation of glycogen in the liver.