Effect of food intake on liver and spleen volume: assessment with single photon emission computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluated the influence of food intake on liver and spleen size. The rationale was that since a meal induces a marked increase in splanchnic blood flow, organ volume might also be affected. This could influence conclusions made at clinical examination.


METHODS
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed in 20 healthy volunteers after administration of technetium-99m albumin colloid before and after ingestion of a standardized meal. A semiautomatic technique was used to determine liver and spleen size.


RESULTS
There was a nonsignificant reduction in liver volume of 1.5% (P = .063) and a significant reduction in spleen volume of 3.2% (P = .00033) after food intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver and spleen volume are marginally affected by food intake, and the changes are within the methodologic error of radiologic modalities.
Roshdy
M S
MS
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden.
Larsson
S A
SA
Kimiaei
S
S
Jacobsson
H
H
D004435:Eating; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin