From the Guidelines
The average size of the spleen in an adult male is approximately 11-14 centimeters in length, with a cutoff for splenomegaly of more than 13 cm, as recommended by the Lugano Classification 1. The spleen's size can vary based on individual factors such as body size, age, and health status. In terms of measurement, the vertical length of the spleen is commonly used, with a recommendation to use a single measurement that correlates well with volume 1. The spleen's volume is not directly provided in the evidence, but it is typically measured between 150-200 cubic centimeters (or milliliters) in a normal adult male. It's worth noting that the spleen can temporarily enlarge during certain infections or illnesses, a condition known as splenomegaly. The definition of splenomegaly as greater than 13 cm in vertical length is also supported by the international working group consensus response evaluation criteria in lymphoma (RECIL 2017) 1. The measurement of spleen size is crucial in assessing response to treatment in lymphoma, as outlined in the revised criteria for response assessment 1. The most recent and highest quality study, RECIL 2017, provides guidance on spleen measurement, recommending a vertical length measurement in the coronal image 1. Key points to consider when measuring spleen size include:
- Using a single measurement that correlates well with volume
- Measuring the vertical length of the spleen in the coronal image
- Defining splenomegaly as a vertical length of more than 13 cm
- Considering individual factors that may affect spleen size, such as body size and health status.
From the Research
Average Spleen Size in Adult Males
- The average spleen size in adult males can be measured in terms of length, thickness, width, and volume.
- According to the study 2, the mean spleen length, thickness, width, and volume in adult males were 10.68±1.28 cm, 4.1±0.58 cm, 7.3±0.9 cm, and 174.4±52.4 ml, respectively.
- Another study 3 reported the mean splenic length, width, thickness, and volume in males as 10.64 cm, 4.92 cm, 4.05 cm, and 119.81 cm3, respectively.
Comparison of Spleen Size Across Studies
- The study 4 reported an average human spleen length of approximately 10 centimeters.
- The study 5 reported a mean splenic volume of 331.7 ± 92.2 cm3 in the non-splenomegaly group, with females having smaller spleens than males.
- The study 6 reported that spleen length and volume were significantly and independently associated with sex, body height, and weight, with men and taller and heavier individuals having longer and larger spleens.
Factors Influencing Spleen Size
- The studies 2, 3, and 6 reported that spleen size is influenced by factors such as age, sex, body height, and weight.
- The study 5 reported that splenic volume correlated with gender, age, and height.
- The study 6 reported that spleen length and volume were quite stable over time, with minimal differences in repeat measurements.