Morphometric assessment of spleen dimensions and its determinants among individuals living in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction The spleen is a vital lymphoid soft organ that demands constant attention from the clinical point of view. It is a multi-dimensional organ that enlarges in its all dimensions during some disease condition. The detection of the spleen by palpation is not an indicator of an enlarged spleen because normal spleen may be palpable. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the morphometry of spleen dimensions and its determinants among individuals living in Arba Minch town by sonographic examinations. Methods and materials Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch town from February 1 to March 30, 2020. Seven hundred and eight study participants were selected using a multi-stage systematic random sampling technique. Data were checked for completeness, edited, coded and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA software version 16 for analysis. Result The mean splenic length, width, thickness and volume were 10.24 cm, 4.79 cm, 3.93 cm, and 109.34 cm3, respectively. The mean spleen length, width, thickness and volumes among males were 10.64 cm, 4.92 cm, 4.05 cm and 119.81 cm3 and among females were 9.75 cm, 4.63 cm, 3.78 cm and 96.50 cm3 respectively. As age increased by one year the mean spleen length, width, thickness and volume was decreased by 0.032 cm, 0.018 cm 0.004 cm and 0.012 cm respectively. As height increased by 1 cm the mean spleen width and volume were increased by 0.096 cm and 0.052 cm respectively. As we go from male to female the mean spleen length decreased by 0.294 cm. Conclusion The spleen dimensions were higher in males than females. Splenic length was determined by age & sex, the spleen width was determined by age & height, the spleen volume was determined by age & height and the spleen thickness was determined by age.

Correlation of Splenic Parameters With Age in North Indian Population

“…Solomon et al [ 3 ] studied the length of the spleen by ultrasonography in 708 individuals in Feb 2020 in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, and found that spleen length increased up to 40 years and decreased thereafter [ 3 ]. Arora et al [ 16 ] examined 160 subjects and calculated splenic length decreases with an increase in age in both males and females.…”

“…The p-value was 0.005 in males and 0.03in females, so it was significant. Solomon et al [ 3 ] his study found that the spleen breadth increased up to 40 years and thereafter decreased. Arora et al [ 16 ] sonographically examined 160 subjects and calculated splenic width decreases with an increase in age in both males and females.…”

“…The p-value in males was 0.003, and in females was 0.002. Solomon et al [ 3 ] found that spleen thickness increased up to 40 years and decreased thereafter. In a study by Arora et al [ 16 ], both males and females decreased as age increased.…”

“…The spleen is an intraperitoneal organ covered with peritoneum except at its hilum. The average dimensions are 12.5cm, 7.5 cm, and 2.5 cm in length, width, and thickness, respectively, and 150-200 g in weight [ 3 ]. The spleen develops as a lobulated mass from the mesoderm of the upper part of the dorsal mesogastrium under the cover of its left layer.…”

“…Solomon Demissie in Southern Ethiopia studied morphometric assessment of spleen dimensions and correlates among individuals in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, in 708 individuals in February-March 2020. Their study was useful for forensic experts and anthropologists to find the deceased's age if the splenic specimen's parameters are known [ 3 ]. Sharma et al studied the correlation of sonographic measurements of the spleen with age in the Nepalese population in 320 patients in the age group of 16-75 years in 2017 and found splenic length and thickness decreased with an increase in age in both males and females.…”