New formula for predicting standard liver volume in Chinese adults

To obtain a reference range of morphological indices and establish a formula to accurately predict standard liver volume (SLV) in Chinese adults.

Computed tomography (CT)-estimated total liver volume (CTLV) was determined in 369 Chinese adults. Age, sex, body weight, body height, body mass index, and body surface area (BSA) were recorded using CT. Total splenic volume, portal venous diameter (PVD), splenic venous diameter (SVD), and portal venous cross-sectional area (PVCSA) were also measured by CT. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of each parameter on CTLV and to develop a new SLV formula. The accuracy of the new formula was compared with the existing formulas in a validation group.

The average CTLV was 1205.41 ± 257.53 cm³ (range, 593.80-2250.10 cm³). The average of PVD, SVD and PVCSA was 9.34 ± 1.51 mm, 7.40 ± 1.31 mm and 173.22 ± 48.11 mm², respectively. The CT-estimated splenic volume of healthy adults varied markedly (range, 46.60-2892.30 cm³). Sex, age, body height, body weight, body mass index, and BSA were significantly correlated with CTLV. BSA showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.546, P < 0.001), and was used to establish a new model for calculating SLV: SLV (cm³) = 758.259 × BSA (m²)-124.272 (R² = 0.299, P < 0.001). This formula also predicted CTLV more accurately than the existing formulas, but overestimated CTLV in elderly subjects > 70 years of age, and underestimated liver volume when CTLV was > 1800 cm³.

Our new BSA-based formula is more accurate than other formulas in estimating SLV in Chinese adults.