The Sonographic Evaluation of Spleen Sizes in Relation to Age; a Prospective Study of Healthy Adult Nigerians

Abstract

Racial differences in organ dimensions could result in incorrect interpretation of spleen measurements. The purpose of this study is to establish the range of spleen dimension in adult healthy Nigerians. A total of 1012 age 18-73years were recruited from volunteers and referrals for abdominal or pelvic ultrasound scans to three hospitals, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre and Felix Memorial Hospital all in Ebonyi State southeast Nigeria. The subjects were scanned in spine position. Longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the spleen were obtained along the left mid axillary line. Clinical disorders associated with splenomegaly were discarded. The entire population has the following mean values splenic length 108.62±8.266 mm, and splenic width 50.89±10.905 mm. The subjects had a slightly higher mean value of splenic length than most of the Caucasians and Asian population suggesting a racial difference and the splenic length decreased with increase age. Splenic length were greater in male than female.