Why can Reidel's lobe be mistaken for hepatomegaly?

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The main idea is that Reidel's lobe is an anatomical variant, not a disease. It is a downward extension of the right lobe of the liver that can extend well below the usual right costal margin. Because of this longer, inferior projection, the liver can appear larger on physical examination or imaging, mimicking hepatomegaly. However, there is no true enlargement of the liver parenchyma, and the texture remains normal.

This extension is why the condition can be mistaken for hepatomegaly: the lower border sits farther down than expected, giving the impression of an enlarged liver. It is not a discrete mass, not necessarily linked to jaundice, and it does not cause diffuse texture change in the liver.