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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Spleen size on repeat imaging test
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Spleen size on repeat imaging test
by Alexmo, Jul 18, 2006 12:00AM
I had an abdominal/pelvic CT done a back in 2003 for upper abdominal discomfort. My doctor had me do a CT of the abdomen/pelvis and report stated the following:
“No acute abnormalities. Liver, pancreas, kidneys, gallbladder, liver and adrenals unremarkable. No ascites or intra-abdominal inflammation noted. No retroperitoneal adenopathy. Only finding is spleen is prominent, measures 12 CM craniocaudal but appears subjectively somewhat full.
Impression: borderline spleen enlargement/upper limit of normal
with no acute abnormalities”
About 16 months later I had an abdominal ultrasound and it was normal: spleen, kidneys, liver, pancreas, gall bladder/ducts, abdominal aorta were all normal in appearance. The spleen measured 11.51 CM pole to pole and was 5.79 wide.
My question is as follows: would this ultrasound confirm that my spleen was normal in size after the CT said it was borderline enlarged? What does he mean by the spleen is full?
“No acute abnormalities. Liver, pancreas, kidneys, gallbladder, liver and adrenals unremarkable. No ascites or intra-abdominal inflammation noted. No retroperitoneal adenopathy. Only finding is spleen is prominent, measures 12 CM craniocaudal but appears subjectively somewhat full.
Impression: borderline spleen enlargement/upper limit of normal
with no acute abnormalities”
About 16 months later I had an abdominal ultrasound and it was normal: spleen, kidneys, liver, pancreas, gall bladder/ducts, abdominal aorta were all normal in appearance. The spleen measured 11.51 CM pole to pole and was 5.79 wide.
My question is as follows: would this ultrasound confirm that my spleen was normal in size after the CT said it was borderline enlarged? What does he mean by the spleen is full?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 19, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 19, 2006 12:00AM
On ultrasound, a normal spleen size is considered less than 13cm. On CT, an enlarged spleen is considered greater than 10cm. You can see there are different definitions of enlarged based on the imaging modality.
An enlarged spleen can be caused by a variety of disorders - including hematological disorders, infections, trauma or liver disease.
These findings can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
An enlarged spleen can be caused by a variety of disorders - including hematological disorders, infections, trauma or liver disease.
These findings can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Member Comments
by carol, Dec 20, 2008 10:54PM
A related discussion, spleen size was started.
