Sonographic biometry of spleen among school age children in Nsukka, Southeast, Nigeria

Background : Normative value of spleen size among school age children is important for objective assessment of the spleen. Objective : This study was aimed at determining sonographically the normal limits of the spleen size according to age, sex, and somatometric parameters among school age children. Methods : A cross sectional study was done on 947 apparently healthy subjects (496 boys and 451 girls) aged 6 - 17 years. The subjects were recruited from some primary and secondary schools within Nsukka metropolis and also from out patients in the study centre. A pilot study was done to determine the intra- and inter rater reliability of sonographic measurements of the spleen. The sonographic examination was performed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducers. Spleen sizes were obtained with the subject in a right lateral decubitus position. Results : Measurement of spleen length was reliable while measurement of spleen width was less reliable within and between sonographers.  Dimensions of the spleen were not statistically different in boys and girls (p > 0.05). Height correlated best with spleen dimensions. Conclusion : Normogram of the spleen size with respect to height is important in the determination of some pathology associated with changes in its size. Keywords : Ultrasound; measurements; spleen size; school age children.