[The individual limit of normal spleen size in routine x-ray film (author's transl)]

The evaluation of spleen length from routine x-ray films of the left epigastrium of 97 healthy patients suggested a close correlation to the height of the 12th thoracic and the first three lumbar vertebral bodies. The normal ratio of spleen length to the vertebral height Th 12- L 3 is 0,82 +/- 0,09, two standard deviations are represented by ratios from 0,64 to 1,0. Spleen length over vertebral height Th 12 -L 3 indicates pathologic enlargment of the spleen. 54 patients with diseases which may cause splenomegaly showed spleen lengths mostly over the heights Th 12 - L 3.