QUANTITATIVE CT ASSESSMENT OF SPLEEN SIZE FOR REEVALUATION OF MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMAS

The purpose of this study was to correlate CT-assessed spleen indices (lengthxwidthxdepth) and their changes under therapy or in the follow- up, with the clinical course and morphological changes. In 66 patients with 200 CT's of the abdomen the spleen index was calculated and 134 spleen index differences (Delta SI) were correlated with the clinical outcome. The normal group showed a mean of Delta SI of -8=112, equival ent boundaries of -120 and 104. Delta SI of progressive lymphomas (n=3 2) was 313 (p<0.01). In 10/14 patients of this group, morphological si gns of infiltration were found. In regressive lymphomas (n=63) we foun d Delta SI=-211 (p<0.001). 23/29 with Delta SI <-120 showed signs of s pleen involvement in the preliminary examination. Since there are only slight intraindividual changes of CT-assessed spleen indices and a go od correlation of spleen index differences with the clinical outcome, the spleen index is a useful instrument in the follow-up of malignant lymphomas.