Morphometric Assessment of the Normal Dimensions of the Adult Spleen in North-west Ethiopia Region – A Radiological Study

Background: Spleen is a firm organ about the size of a clenched fist and is the largest member of lymphoid organs. Splenomegaly is enlargement of the spleen seen in a number of pathological conditions. These can be infections, haematological disorders, infiltrative states and immunological and malignant diseases. In Ethiopia, study of spleen size of the adult population was not reported previously. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the standard range of spleen size among different adult age groups in Northwest, Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study design was performed at the University of Gondar, hospital from October 2017 to February 2018. By obtaining informed verbal consent sonographic measurements of spleen length, width and thickness were performed on 380 subjects.

Results: A total of 380 adults comprising 180 (47%) males and 200 (53%) females were recruited. Of the subjects, 186 (49%) and 194 (51%) were urban and rural residents, respectively. The mean splenic length, width and thickness were 9.95 cm (±1.24), 4.3 (±.73), and 3.8 (±.87), respectively.

Conclusion: The present study provided the normal reference value of adult spleen size for the adults of Northwest Ethiopia, which will be useful for clinical assessment of spleen under any pathological conditions.

Keywords: Spleen, length, thickness, width, Sonography.