CT-Based Reference Values for Splenic Artery and Vein Diameters in Individuals Aged 1-80 Years

Objectives: Demographic features of subjects, such as body mass index, height, weight, age, or sex, may affect diameters of vessels such as the splenic artery (SA) and splenic vein (SV). Some studies use alternative anatomical indicators, including the body of the first lumbar vertebra (L1), to improve standardization in the assessment of vascular pathologies. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between splenic vessel diameters (SA and SV) and L1 using abdominopelvic computed tomography images obtained from individuals aged 1-80 years. Methods: Radiologic images of 800 subjects were included in the examination. Proximal (SA1 and SV1), middle (SA2 and SV2) and distal (SA3 and SV3) calibers of SA and SV were measured. Ratios of vessel calibers to the transverse diameter of the body of L1 (L1TD) were calculated. Results: Age had a clear influence on the diameters of SA and SV. SV1 showed a steady increase until the early fifties, followed by a decline beginning in the seventies. Both SV2 and SV3 enlarged until the early twenties, after which no significant variation was observed. SA1, SA2, and SA3 gradually increased from 1 year of age through the early fifties, but demonstrated a statistically significant reduction at older ages. The ratios of SA and SV diameters to L1TD were highest during the first decade of life and dropped markedly in the second decade. Following this period, these ratios generally tended to rise initially and then decline with further aging. Conclusions: This study provides age-specific CT-based reference values for SA and SV diameters and their ratios to the L1 vertebral body. Since L1 is readily identifiable on routine computed tomography, these ratios may provide a practical complementary anatomical reference. Further studies are warranted to validate their clinical applicability.