Measuring liver span. Bedside examination versus ultrasound and scintiscan.

In 75 hospital patients an estimation of liver span was made independently by students (I), fellows (II), and consultants (III). These bedside estimates were made three times at full inspiration in a right parasagittal line one third of the sternal length from the midline by palpation, direct, and indirect percussion. These bedside estimates were compared to each other and to ultrasound in full inspiration in the supine position and to scintiscan in quiet respiration. We found that bedside estimate of liver span by direct percussion was accurate as ultrasound, but that indirect percussion estimate of liver span was inaccurate. Scintiscanning during quiet respiration over-estimates the liver span in comparison to ultrasound. Previous suggestions that clinical estimates of liver span should be abandoned may be in error.