Sonographic measurements of the normal liver, spleen, pancreas, and portal vein.

Abstract

Normal values and upper limits (95th percentile) of liver, spleen, pancreas and portal vein size were determined prospectively with ultrasound in 915 healthy subjects. Sex, age, weight, height and body surface area were determined in each case. Since correlation of longitudinal and transverse organ diameters with physical data was poor (r .ltoreq. 0.3), it is not necessary to correct the measurements accordingly. However, the liver is oriented longitudinally in slender subjects and transversely in heavy subjects; thus both longitudinal and anteroposterior diameters need to be measured, since the longitudinal diameter alone will give too high or too low a value, respectively.