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CT assessment of normal splenic size in children
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Medical School of Crete, Iraklion, Greece.
Insights
This study estimated normal spleen size in children using CT scans. Splenic thickness on CT scans is a reliable indicator of spleen size, useful in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Anatomy
Background:
- Accurate spleen size estimation is crucial for diagnosing pediatric splenomegaly.
- Computed Tomography (CT) is a common imaging modality for evaluating abdominal organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference values for normal spleen size in children using CT.
- To identify CT measurements that best correlate with splenic volume.
- To assess the utility of splenic thickness as a surrogate for splenic volume.
Main Methods:
- CT scans of 153 children without splenic disease were analyzed.
- Spleen dimensions (width, thickness, length, volume) were measured.
- Measurements were normalized to the first lumbar vertebra diameter.
Main Results:
- Spleen size significantly increased during the first 4 years and peaked at age 13.
- No sex-based differences in splenic volume were observed.
- Splenic thickness showed the strongest correlation with splenic volume in both normal and splenomegalic children.
Conclusions:
- Splenic thickness is a reliable and easily obtainable CT measurement for estimating splenic volume in children.
- This finding can aid in the routine clinical assessment of pediatric spleen size.
Abstract:
The size of the normal spleen was estimated by CT in 153 children examined with indication unrelated to splenic disease. In each patient the width, thickness, length and volume of the spleen were calculated. Measurements were also normalized to the transverse diameter of the body of the first lumbar vertebra. The spleen underwent significant growth during the first 4 years of life and reached maximum size at the age of 13. There was no differences in splenic volume between boys and girls. Splenic thickness correlated best with normal splenic volume. The strongest correlation was also found between splenic thickness and volume in a group of 45 children with clinically evident splenomegaly. Splenic thickness, an easy-to-use measurement, may be employed in everyday practice to represent splenic volume on CT.