[Value of computer tomographic determination of spleen size for the elucidation of splenic involvement within the framework of primary lymph node neoplasms].

The splenic index was determined in 155 persons, without evidence of splenic disease, in order to obtain a simple measure of splenic size. Subsequently 36 patients with malignant lymphomas and who then had their spleens removed were examined by CT. A comparison of the CT and pathological-anatomical findings showed that it is a valuable non-invasive method for diagnosing splenic involvement, having a specificity of 86%, sensitivity of 77% and accuracy of 83%.