Only a few years ago, most treatises on sonography covered all the diagnostic applications of ultrasound, de- scribing organs from the brain down to the placenta. Dr. Bruneton and his associates must be thanked for pre- senting this book devoted to the spleen. It probably offers the most complete presentation of details and the richest images available in its field. This book will thus become the ultimate reference in most libraries of books on son- ography. March 1988 F. Weill The authors wish to thank Christine Rostagni, Fran~ise Fein, and Bernard Fontaine for their assistance in the preparation of this book. Contents 1 Sonographic Anatomy of the Normal Spleen, Normal Anatomic Variants, and Pitfalls B. Senecail ...1 1. 1 Anatomy of the Spleen...1 1. 1. 1 Morphology and Structure ...1 1. 1. 2 Location and Relations of the Spleen...3 1. 1. 3 Average Dimensions of the Cadaver Spleen ...5 1. 1. 4 Congenital Anomalies and Normal Variants...5 1. 1. 4. 1 Fissured Spleen...5 1. 1. 4. 2 Lobulated Spleen...5 1. 1. 4. 3 Spleen with Two Hili...5 1. 1. 4. 4 Wandering or Ectopic Spleen ...6 1. 1. 4. 5 Numeric Anomalies ...6 Ultrasonography of the Spleen ...1. 2 6 1. 2. 1 Equipment ...6 1. 2. 2 Patient Examination ...7 1. 2. 3 Scanning Technique ...7 1. 3 Sonographic Features of the Normal Spleen...7 1. 3. 1 Splenic Contour ...7 1. 3. 2 Echo Pattern of the Splenic Parenchyma...