The reproducibility and short-term and long-term repeatability of sonographic measurement of splenic length

Spleen size change after hepatitis C treatment: a simple parameter to predict clinical outcomes

Portal hypertension contributes to splenomegaly in cirrhotic patients. Reduction in spleen size may represent improvement in portal hypertension. The goal was to determine whether reduction in spleen size following sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis is associated with lower risk of liver-related adverse outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was performed regarding HCV-infected patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents at the Iowa City Veterans Administration Medical Center between 2014 and 2019. Patients with cirrhosis and splenomegaly on baseline ultrasound were included. Spleen size, platelet counts, decompensations, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) status, and mortality were recorded through July 31, 2021. Decrease in spleen size ≥1.5 cm was regarded as significant. Intergroup comparisons were performed on SPSS 28. Eighty patients with cirrhosis and splenomegaly before SVR were identified. Spleen sizes decreased significantly after SVR in 31 patients over a median of 1 year (Group A), whereas 49 patients did not meet this endpoint (Group B). Lack of spleen size reduction was associated with the presence of varices before SVR (odds ratio (OR): 5.3, p < 0.01). Group A had significantly greater increases in platelet count after SVR than did Group B. Patients in Group B had greater risk of HCC (OR: 9.7, CI: 1.2-79; p = 0.03) and death (OR: 3.6, CI: 1.1-12; p = 0.04). Reduced spleen size in patients with HCV cirrhosis after SVR is associated with greater increment in platelet count, decreased risk of HCC, and reduced mortality compared to patients whose spleen size does not decrease.

Does coronal oblique length of spleen on CT reflect splenic index?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Splenic dimension of >12 cm on coronal plane on ultrasound is considered to represent splenomegaly. We sought to estimate the accuracy of similar coronal oblique length of spleen on CT in identifying splenomegaly by comparing it with CT splenic index. We also sought to establish the splenic width, craniocaudal dimension (CC), thickness, and coronal oblique length in both normal and splenomegaly groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

319 consecutive patients undergoing CT abdomen were included in the study and measurements of width (W), CC, thickness (T), and coronal oblique length (L) made. Splenic index was calculated based on the formula CC × W × T. Diagnostic accuracy of coronal oblique length in identifying splenomegaly on the basis of splenic index was assessed. Patients with splenic trauma were excluded. Patients with perisplenic collection that precluded proper measurement of spleen were excluded.

RESULTS

Of the 319 patients, 41 patients had splenomegaly with splenic index >480. 278 patients showed normal splenic index less than or equal to 480. Sensitivity and specificity of coronal oblique length as ≥12 cm in identifying splenomegaly were 97.8% and 34.1%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for the same were 91% and 70%, respectively (p value-0.000). There is overlap of numerical values for thickness and coronal oblique length in the normal and splenomegaly groups for a 95% confidence interval, whereas there is no significant overlap between these groups with respect to the craniocaudal length and width. Hence, craniocaudal length of 9.5 cm and width of 10.6 cm may be used as upper cutoff limit for normal spleen.

CONCLUSION

Coronal oblique dimension of spleen >12 cm is highly sensitive and shows good positive predictive value in diagnosing splenomegaly but has poor specificity and negative predictive value. Ideally, splenic index calculated using the CC, width, and thickness is the most reliable measurement for diagnosing splenomegaly. But if single measurements are to be used for identifying splenomegaly, craniocaudal length >9.5 cm, width of >10.6 cm, and coronal oblique dimension >12 cm may be used.

A comparison of portable ultrasound and fully-equipped clinical ultrasound unit in the thyroid size measurement of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin

Measurement of thyroid size and volume is a useful clinical parameter in both human and veterinary medicine, particularly for diagnosing thyroid diseases and guiding corrective therapy. Procuring a fully-equipped clinical ultrasound unit (FCUS) may be difficult in most veterinary settings. The present study evaluated the inter-equipment variability in dolphin thyroid ultrasound measurements between a portable ultrasound unit (PUS) and a FCUS; for both units, repeatability was also assessed. Thyroid ultrasound examinations were performed on 15 apparently healthy bottlenose dolphins with both PUS and FCUS under identical scanning conditions. There was a high level of agreement between the two ultrasound units in dolphin thyroid measurements (ICC = 0.859-0.976). A high intra-operator repeatability in thyroid measurements was found (PUS: ICC = 0.854-0.984, FCUS: ICC = 0.709-0.954). As a conclusion, no substantial inter-equipment variability was found between PUS and FCUS in dolphin thyroid size measurements under identical scanning conditions, supporting further application of PUS for quantitative analyses of dolphin thyroid gland in both research and clinical practices at aquarium settings.

Anthropometric characterization of spleen in children

PURPOSE

This paper aims to characterize the 3D geometry of the child spleen which is still unknown.

METHODS

An anthropological measurement protocol, based upon 3D modeling using spleen-computed tomography data, was set up. Characteristic measurements were defined to allow dimensions and spatial localization description from classical anatomical landmarks (11th dorsal vertebra and 10th left rib).

RESULTS

Growth patterns showed a global enlargement without significant changes in distance to anatomical bone points.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study describes a validated measurement protocol based on 3D reconstructions and gives description of the child spleen during growth.

Partial splenic embolization in children with hereditary spherocytosis

OBJECTIVES

Although total splenectomy is able to reduce clinical symptoms in patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS), splenectomized patients are at risk to develop overwhelming bacterial infections and, to a lesser extent, thromboembolic complications. In contrast, partial splenectomy or partial splenic embolization (PSE) may also decrease the rate of hemolytic complications while maintaining residual splenic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefit of PSE in children with moderate to severe HS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed PSE via retrograde transfemoral access in eight children (four female, four male) with moderate to severe HS at a median age of 8 yr. HS-related complications before PSE included gallstones in six and aplastic crises in four children. One patient was transfusion-dependent.

RESULTS

No acute side effects were seen during or after PSE. Median hemoglobin increased significantly from levels between 7.5 g/dL and 11.65 g/dL before PSE to levels between 8.4 g/dL and 13.35 g/dL after PSE (P = 0.012). Median splenic sizes before PSE ranged from 9.7 cm/m2 to 19.0 cm/m2 and significantly decreased to values between 4.4 cm/m2 and 15.65 cm/m2 during follow-up (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

PSE appears to be a safe, effective and feasible treatment option for the management of children with moderate to severe HS.