[Pathology of the spleen in ultrasonographic imaging]

Authors provide review on diffuse and focal splenic lesions, traumatic injuries, contribution of ultrasonography in staging of malignant lymphomas and ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy. Special attention is given to the question of normal spleen size and diagnosis of splenomegaly. In 230 patients (98 males) aged 18-72 years (median 34.2) witch underwent complex preventive examination, maximal longitudinal diameter (LDmax) of the spleen were measured. Using linear regression analysis relation of spleen size and body high, weigh and body mass index (BMI) was evaluated. Median LDmax was 10.1 cm, range 7.8-13.5 cm. As a reference limit authors accept 95% confidence interval of median: 7.9-12.3 cm. Statistically significant correlation (p < 0.01, r = 0.31) between LDmax and body high was found out. Ultrasonography because of diagnostic efficiency is suggested the method of choice in diagnosing pathologic involvement of the spleen.