Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Splenic Volumes in Normal Subjects in South-East, Nigeria.

Abstract

The spleen is the largest organ in the reticuloendothelial system. Anthropometric studies using ultrasound suggest there may be racial or geographical differences in organ sizes and dimensions. Since some pathological health conditions affect the haematological parameters of the body organs, the spleen inclusive, there is therefore a need to establish a normogram of splenic dimensions for clinical practice in our environment. This has necessitated this study and also a determination of the effect of age, gender, body weight and body mass index (BMI) on splenic volumes for our locality as no such studies have been done in our environment to the best of our knowledge.
METHOD: Measurements of splenic sizes were carried out on 261 healthy subjects (142 males &119 females).i.e those without any history or evidence of splenic affectations or immunologic/haematologic disorders and whose age fall between 18 and 72 years. The length, width and thickness of the spleen were measured and using standard prolate ellipsoid formula of LxWxTx0.524, the volume of the spleen is calculated for each subject. The age, height, weight and body mass index Independent sample T-test was carried out for the subjects. Pearson's correlation co-efficient was calculated between the anthropometric parameters and splenic volume.
RESULTS: Mean splenic volume was 216.40±11,86cm. The age range of the subjects was 18-72 years, There was significant correlation of height and body weight with splenic volume (r=0.2,p=0.015). No significant correlation with age(r=0,07,p=0.4) or BMI. The male subjects had significantly higher splenic volume than females (241.22 ±13.16 vs 204.16±11.53 p=0.004).
CONCLUSION: Men have higher splenic dimensions than women. The height and weight correlated with splenic volumes but there was no significant correlation with age and BMI.