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CT-Based Reference Values for Splenic Artery and Vein Diameters in Individuals Aged 1-80 Years
Iklil Eryılmaz1, Fırat Aslan2, Serhat Binici2
1Department of General Surgery, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, 34860 İstanbul, Türkiye.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Age significantly impacts splenic artery and vein diameters, with ratios to the first lumbar vertebra (L1) body changing throughout life. These findings offer age-specific reference values for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Anatomy
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Demographic factors like age and sex influence vascular dimensions.
- Standardizing measurements of splenic artery (SA) and splenic vein (SV) is crucial for pathology assessment.
- The first lumbar vertebra (L1) transverse diameter (L1TD) is explored as a potential anatomical reference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between SA and SV diameters and L1TD in individuals aged 1-80 years.
- To establish age-specific reference values for SA and SV diameters and their ratios to L1TD.
- To evaluate the potential of L1TD as a complementary anatomical reference for splenic vessel assessment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 800 abdominopelvic CT scans.
- Measurement of proximal, middle, and distal SA and SV diameters (SA1-3, SV1-3).
- Calculation of SA and SV diameter ratios to L1TD.
Main Results:
- Age significantly affects SA and SV diameters, with distinct patterns of increase and decrease across different age groups.
- Splenic vein diameters (SV1-3) show varied age-related changes, with SV1 increasing until the fifties and SV2/SV3 stabilizing after the twenties.
- Splenic artery diameters (SA1-3) increase until the fifties and then decrease in older age.
- Ratios of SA/SV diameters to L1TD are highest in the first decade, decrease in the second, and then show a general rise followed by a decline with aging.
Conclusions:
- Age-specific CT-based reference values for SA and SV diameters and their ratios to L1TD are provided.
- The L1TD offers a practical, complementary anatomical reference due to its easy identification on CT scans.
- Further research is needed to confirm the clinical utility of these ratios.
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