Evaluation of Splenic Volume and Surface Area According to Age and Gender: A Three-Dimensional Slicer Computed...

Background: The spleen is an important organ in the evaluation of systemic diseases due to its hematologic and immunologic functions. Changes in splenic volume and surface area have diagnostic significance in various clinical conditions. This study aimed to evaluate age- and sex-related changes in splenic volume and surface area in an adult population. Material: A total of 304 abdominal CT scans (153 females, 151 males) were retrospectively evaluated. Participants aged 19-89 years were stratified by decades. Changes in splenic surface area and volume were analyzed according to age and sex using measurements obtained from these images with the 3D Slicer software package. Results: Splenic volume showed significant differences across age groups in females, whereas no statistically significant age-related difference was observed in males. Splenic surface area differed significantly according to age groups in both sexes. The highest mean splenic volume and surface area were observed in the 19-29 age group in both sexes. The lowest mean values were detected in the 80-89 age group in females and in the 70-79 age group in males. Conclusions: Splenic volume is higher in males than in females. A statistically significant decrease in splenic volume with advancing age was observed in females, whereas only a non-significant decreasing trend was noted in males. A marked reduction in splenic volume and surface area was observed particularly after the age of 70 years. This finding is associated with age-related immune decline and functional hyposplenism and carries clinical significance in terms of increased susceptibility to infections and diminished immune response in elderly individuals. Furthermore, splenic shrinkage should be considered in the assessment of hematological reserve and in the differentiation of changes related to chronic diseases.