Age-related changes in ultrasonographic spleen length in the adult population of Kanpur

Abstract

Introduction: The spleen is an intra-abdominal organ affected by a number of diseases. Estimates of spleen size in vivo are often important in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of many disorders which is unreliable by palpation. Several previous studies have sought to develop standards for spleen size such as CT scan, scintigraphy, MRI, and ultrasound. Conventional ultrasound has been shown to be a good measure of spleen size without the need for ionizing radiation. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the normal range of the spleen and its correlation with age of male and female subjects. Materials and Methods: 80 males and 80 females aged 20 to 60 years from the Department of Anatomy and Radiology, Rama Medical College & Research Centre, Kanpur were selected. Using ultrasound, the length of the spleen was measured. Results: It was observed that in both men and women, the length of the spleen decreases with age. Spleen length decreases at a slower rate until age 50, after which it declines rapidly. Spleen length is greater in men than in women at all ages. Conclusions: Spleen size varies greatly among individuals. Establishing normative spleen length data is crucial for assessing changes. Age significantly influences spleen size, especially in males over 50. Consider age before diagnosing spleen length changes. Keywords : Spleen, Palpation, Hematopoietic system, Portal hypertension