title: Estimation of splenic weight from ultrasonographic measurements.
abstract: The author assessed the predictability of the weight of a resected spleen from measurements obtained from real-time ultrasonography (US) scans. In a preliminary study of 12 spleens obtained at autopsy and then examined by US the product of splenic length, width and thickness was linearly related to splenic weight (R2 = 0.97, r = 0.92, p less than 0.001). In a subsequent retrospective study of 81 patients who had undergone a total of 101 abdominal US examinations within 4 months of death and whose spleens were weighed during autopsy, splenic weight in grams was equal to 0.43 (length x width x thickness) for measurements in centimetres (R2 = 0.92, r = 0.78, p less than 0.001). Estimation of splenic weight is therefore possible by a simple calculation; this method offers an alternative to subjective assessment of spleen size, and the information it provides compares well to established norms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Downey
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography