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Assessment of liver size by ultrasonography
Author(s) -
Patzak Monika,
Porzner Marc,
Oeztuerk Suemeyra,
Mason Richard Andrew,
Wilhelm Manfred,
Graeter Tilmann,
Kratzer Wolfgang,
Haenle Mark Martin,
Akinli Atilla Serif
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.22151
Subject(s) - medicine , body mass index , fatty liver , metabolic syndrome , waist , waist–hip ratio , population , steatosis , physical examination , anthropometry , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , disease , environmental health
Background To determine liver span sonographically in a randomly selected population sample and identify factors that affect liver size. Methods A total of 1,789 subjects (963 females, 826 males; mean age 41.8 ± 12.8 years) underwent sonographic examination of the liver in the midclavicular line to determine liver span. Subjects underwent physical examination and blood tests and completed a standardized interview questionnaire. Results The average liver span in the midclavicular line for the overall collective was 15.0 ± 1.5 cm; the average for females was 14.9 ± 1.6 cm and 15.1 ± 1.5 cm for males. Liver span exceeded 16 cm in 24.3% of subjects. Results of the multivariate analysis showed that, of the factors potentially influencing liver span, gender, age, body mass index, body height, fatty liver ( p < 0.0001), waist‐to‐hip ratio ( p = 0.015), and metabolic syndrome ( p = 0.032) are significant. By contrast, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, physical activity, and laboratory findings showed no influence. Conclusions Sonographic measurement of liver span in the midclavicular line is a simple method for routine clinical use. Gender, age, body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, body height, hepatic steatosis, and metabolic syndrome are factors associated with liver span. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:399–404, 2014