EVALUATION BY MRI OF CHANGES IN LIVER AND SPLEEN VOLUME IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to examine the role played in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis by the changes in liver and spleen volume in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Material and Methods. The study comprised 47 chronic viral hepatitis patients and 30 healthy control subjects. 17-weighted images were used to measure volume. The liver and spleen borders were marked on each slice and the volume was calculated by combining these borders on a computer. A biopsy was performed on the 47 patients. The fibrosis stages of the patients were defined according to the METAVIR scoring system. SPSS for Windows 11.5 statistical package program was used for the data evaluation. Results. The liver volume of the patients was found to be lower than that of the control group whereas the spleen volume of the patient group was higher than control group one. When liver volume was evaluated according to stages, it was seen that the more the level of fibrosis increased, as the liver volume decreased. In the evaluation of spleen volume according to stages, the more the level of fibrosis increased, as spleen volume was seen to increase. When spleen volume to liver volume ratio was examined, a statistically significant increase was seen in the patient group compared to the control group. Conclusions. It is considered that the measurements of liver and spleen volume can be a guide in the definition of the level of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases.