CT ASSESSMENT OF NORMAL SPLENIC SIZE IN CHILDREN

The size of the normal spleen was estimated by CT in 153 children, exa mined with indication unrelated to splenic disease. In each patient th e width, thickness, length and volume of the spleen were calculated. M easurements were also normalized to the transverse diameter of the bod y of the first lumbar vertebra. The spleen underwent significant growt h during the first 4 years of life and reached maximum size at the age of 13. There were no differences in splenic volume between boys and g irls. Splenic thickness correlated best with normal splenic volume. Th e strongest correlation was also found between splenic thickness and v olume in a group of 45 children with clinically evident splenomegaly. Splenic thickness, an easy-to-use measurement, may be employed in ever yday practice to represent splenic volume on CT.