Ultrasonic Determination of Liver and Spleen Volumes

Abstract

A model was made for the computation of the liver and spleen volumes from the areas outlined on parallel ultrasonic scanning sections. Liver volume was determined in 20 patients with minor non-hepatic disorders. The mean body weight was 68.9 kg. The mean estimated liver volume was 1611 ml, which agreed well with liver volume calculated from an allometric equation, 1574 ml. The reproduceability was tested in double determinations; SD was 90 ml or 5.5 per cent of the mean. The accuracy of the method was assessed by comparing spleen volumes, evaluated by the ultrasonic method, with organ weights following splenectomy in 9 patients suffering from haematological diseases. The correlation coefficient was 0.98.

Key Words:

• Liver
• liver function
• spleen
• splenomegaly
• ultrasonics