A protocol of hepatic volume measurement using magnetic resonance imaging in individuals from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon population

Abstract

Determination of hepatic volume is an important preoperative procedure and is done through imaging exams or standard liver volume (SLV) formulas developed based on the biotype of each population. In the absence of a specific SLV formula for the Brazilian Eastern Amazon population, the measurement of liver volume is made with reference values from other populations. The aim of study was to compare the hepatic volume in healthy residents from the Brazilian Eastern Amazon population obtained with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and recommended SLV formulas validated to other populations. This was a Observational, cross-sectional study. Anthropometric data of 42 healthy individuals aged 18-60 years of both sexes was collected to measure the liver volume through SLV formulas calculations and MRI. MRI shows similarity with the Western European SLV liver volume values and significant differences with the Japan SLV formula, mainly for women, with a moderate-to-weak correlation with the MRI measurements. There was a strong correlation between weight and body surface area in male patients analysed with measurements of the liver volume by the MRI and SLV formulas. The SLV formula based on the Western European population could be used in the absence of a specific formula for individuals living in the Amazon region. The results suggest that liver measurement formulas should take into consideration the sex of individuals, as well as the development of a specific SLV formula for the Eastern Amazon population and the conduction of similar studies in other Brazilian regions.