In vivo hepatic volume determination using sonography and computed tomography. Validation and a comparison of the two techniques.

Ultrasonography and computed tomography were used to determine hepatic volume in vivo. The data obtained were compared with the weight and volume of the same livers after surgical removal at the time of orthotopic hepatic transplantation. The relationship between hepatic weight and volume was found to be linear over a 16-fold range of weights and a 19-fold range of volumes. The sonographic results more closely paralleled the results obtained directly. These data demonstrate that both methods can determine, within acceptable limits, hepatic volume or weight. The sonographic technique, however, is more accurate than the computed tomography scan method as it allows the use of sagittal scanning of the liver, which is superior to the transverse scanning technique required by the computed tomography scanner. In addition, these results demonstrate that these methods might be applied in the future for better matching of donors and recipients of orthotopic liver transplants.