Normal sonographic spleen dimensions in a healthy population in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional prospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the normal range of spleen sizes in the adult Saudi Arabian population, and to establish correlations between spleen dimensions, age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Methods and materialsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the Jazan region among 95 participants with no splenic abnormalities or conditions that could affect the spleen. Participants with any abnormal conditions were excluded. Ultrasonography was used to measure the spleen's thickness, width, and length. Spleen size was correlated with different demographic variables such as age, gender, height, weight, and BMI. ResultsNinety-five adult participants aged 18–45 years were included in the study. The mean sonographic longitudinal (length), transverse (width), and thickness dimensions of the spleen were 9.41 ± 1.460 cm, 8.62 ± 1.32 cm, and 4.17 ± 0.89 cm, respectively. The study found no correlation between spleen length and width and age, weight, height, or BMI. However, there was a positive correlation between subjects’ height (r(95) = 0.990, p= .002)and BMI (r(95) = 0.950, p= .005) but negative correlation with weight (r(95) = 0.980, p= .018) with splenic thickness only. ConclusionThese findings identify anatomic spleen size parameters that should be considered as reference data when assessing population differences and are useful for physicians and radiologists.