Splenic stiffness measured by 3-Tesla magnetic resonance elastography is correlated with age in healthy individuals

The aim of this study was to determine the splenic stiffness (SS) values in healthy individuals as measured by 3 Tesla magnetic resonance elastography (3T MRE) and to investigate the possible effects of parameters such as age, sex, spleen volume, diameter, and parenchyma thickness on SS.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2023. A total of 54 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Participants' age and sex information were recorded, in addition to spleen craniocaudal and anteroposterior diameter, cortical thickness, spleen volume, and SS, which were measured using 3T magnetic resonance imaging and MRE. The relationships between SS and the other variables were investigated.

Twenty-nine male and 25 female subjects with a mean age of 54.78 ± 15.40 years were included in the study. Mean craniocaudal diameter was 10.46 ± 1.16 cm, anteroposterior diameter was 9.88 ± 1.29 cm, parenchyma thickness was 4.08 ± 0.67 cm, SS was 3,721.94 ± 709.69 Pascal (Pa), and median spleen volume was 292.54 (239.40 - 311.00) cm3. A significant and strong positive correlation was observed between age and SS (r = 0.779, p < 0.001). The SS values were not associated with sex, craniocaudal diameter, anteroposterior diameter, parenchymal thickness, or volume.

Age should be considered when using SS in the diagnosis and staging of relevant diseases such as portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Our results should be confirmed by future studies using 3T MRE in larger populations.