title: Ultrasound Accuracy of Liver Length Measurement with Cadaveric Specimens.
abstract: The liver is one of the principal organs of our body involved in over 500 physiological functions related to metabolism, digestion, immunity, and storage of nutrients, which makes it an essential organ to preserve life. Given that there are a number of approaches to measure liver length through diagnostic 2D sonography, this work aims to determine the most accurate measurement of this organ. Cadaveric specimens (n = 21) were employed to assess measurements in midclavicular line (MCL) and midaxillary line (MAL). Each measurement was calculated in anteroposterior (AP) and craniocaudal (CC) planes. In addition,in situmeasurements were obtained by accessing the organ through the anterior thoracoabdominal wall. Statistical differences were detected between MCL and MAL measurements (p < 0.05), a positive correlation between MAL CC andin situanterior measurements were noted (r = 0.97). Liver size, as assessed throughin situmeasurements, varied as a funtion of BMI and waist circumference (p < 0.05). It is concluded that CC measurement of the RLL in MAL from the uppermost right hemi-diaphragm to the inferior tip of the right lobe through a horizontal line parallel to the anterior liver wall is the most accurate measurement of the organ by sonography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Bárbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Riestra-Candelaria
authors.affiliation: Director of Ultrasound, Department of Radiological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Wilma
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Mojica
authors.affiliation: School of Sciences and Technology, Universidad Metropolitana- Sistema Ana G. Méndez.
authors.forename: Luis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Quiñones
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jorge
keywords: cadaveric specimen; liver anatomy; liver length; sonography