The British journal of radiology
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Comparative Study
Spleen size: how well do linear ultrasound measurements correlate with three-dimensional CT volume assessments?
Ultrasound measurement of splenic length is standard practice, but it is not known how well this represents the true size of the spleen. Previous studies, using a combination of measurements from in vivo and resected spleens, were subject to error because of changes in splenic size. The aim of this study was to correlate the dimensions of the spleen measured by ultrasound with the splenic volume measured by helical CT. ⋯ We conclude that a good correlation exists between in vivo ultrasound assessment of splenic size and true splenic volume. The most accurate single measurement is spleen width measured on a longitudinal section with the patient in the RLD position. However, measurement of splenic length, which is the most commonly used in clinical practice, also correlates well with splenic volume, particularly when performed with the patient in the RLD position.