Palpatory estimation of liver size. Within- and between-observer variation.
A study based upon 23 patients revealed substantial within- and between-observer variation, when 14 senior and junior surgeons under blindfold conditions were requested to measure the distance from the thoracic cage to the lower border of the liver in the midclavicular and midsternal lines. Clinical decisions should accordingly not rely heavily upon a palpatory estimate of liver size.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010173:Palpation