Current possibilities of liver volume estimation in diagnostic ultrasound (ex vivo study)

Abstract

Ultrasound evaluation of the liver volume can be useful for clinicians to aid in objective quantitative assessment of the liver size. For some organs (for example thyroid gland, testicles, ovaries) in diagnostic radiology the volume is the most objective criterion for estimation its size. Today CT and MRI imaging modalities use an objective techniques for volume calculation of the liver. MRI and CT-based liver volumetry are regarded as gold standard for evaluation of the liver volume.1–4 Nevertheless currently the ultrasonic linear measurements being used clinically as an indicator of overall liver size. Up to date in clinical sonography the ultrasound report contains only the linear measurements of the liver.5 Surely this fact significantly reduces the diagnostic value of the clinical estimation of the liver size.