Ultrasonic measurement splenic size of normal & comparison with various medical disorders involving spleen in paediatric Indian population.

ABSTRACT

IntorductionThe present study was conducted in the departments of Anatomy, Radiology and Paediatrics at a General Public Charitable Hospital, Mumbai. Method: The study group consisted of 160 children of both sexes, who were referred to the Radiology department for ultrasonography. Out of these 160 chidren, 80 underwent sonography for abdominal and/or pelvic problems unrelated to the spleen and 80 children were suffering from medical disorders related to spleen i.e. 55 patients of thalassemia major, 13 patients of malaria, 9 patients of typhoid and 3 patients of portal hypertension. The splenic length was measured by using a commercially available real time ultrasound system with a TOSHIBA ECOCEE USG SYSTEM particularly by using the convex probe. Result: In the present study in abnormal spleen group, there is a strong correlation between weight and splenic size, and between age and splenic size, there is a partial correlation between height and the splenic size. In all the children with clinically obvious splenomegaly, the splenic length exceeded at least 2 cm than the normal splenic length at that particular age.Conclusion: This study shall stand as a good reference to Radiologists, Paediatricians, Haematologists and Physicians in an undiagnosed and complicated cases and will also helpful to determine the mode of treatment in thalassemia major with splenomegaly.