Serious Symptoms Of Fatty Liver Disease

Enlarged Spleen

An enlarged spleen often develops in the later stages of fatty liver disease. Located in the upper left abdominal quadrant, the spleen is normally around five inches long and three inches wide. Females tend to have smaller spleens than males, and taller individuals have longer spleens than shorter people. Although the spleen may not be felt in healthy individuals, doctors can often identify an enlarged spleen in patients who are ill. This process generally begins with a physical examination. The doctor will tap the left side of the abdomen to estimate the size of the spleen, and these estimates can be refined with ultrasounds or other imaging studies. The spleen size may decrease with the treatment of fatty liver disease, and regular ultrasounds can monitor the patient's status. In rare cases, an enlarged spleen might need to be surgically removed.