Ultrasound study of the spleen

The sonography is the method of choice for the determination of the size of the spleen. Normally, this has, represented from the left flank, a size of 12 x 5 cm (length and thickness) and a regular structural pattern. Splenomegalies with diffusely changed echo-structure are found in infections, congestion spleens as well as haemoblastoses. Focal lesions are typical for cysts, abscesses and haematomas of the spleen. The sonography of the spleen plays a particular role in the staging of malignant lymphomas, whereas metastatic changes of the spleen may more infrequently be stated sonographically. The authors deal with the great importance of the sonography of the spleen in abdominal traumas.