Liver Determination of Length using Sonography: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background:
Ultrasound measurement of liver size is a critical component of abdominal assessment, providing key data for identifying hepatomegaly and other hepatic disorders. While international reference values for liver size are well-established, population-specific data from Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study aimed to establish normative sonographic liver measurements among healthy young male adults at Hail University and to evaluate their association with age, height, and weight.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out among thirteen healthy male students. Liver length was measured using B-mode ultrasonography in the midclavicular sagittal plane, applying a standardized protocol. Participants’ age, height, and weight were recorded. All examinations took place in the radiology department over a three-week period in November 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation methods to explore relationships between liver size and anthropometric variables.
Results:
The mean participant age was 28.4 years (SD 7.4), with a mean liver length of 13.7 cm (SD 1.26), mean weight of 75.1 kg, and mean height of 1.73 m. Sonographic evaluation showed normal hepatic echotexture and contour in all subjects, with no evidence of focal lesions or biliary abnormalities. No strong correlations between liver length and age, weight, or height were identified in this limited cohort.
Conclusions:
Sonographic liver length among healthy young Saudi males is consistent with international standards. Ultrasound remains a reliable, noninvasive tool for liver assessment. These results establish useful reference values for local clinical practice and future research.