Q: How can liver and spleen be assessed?

A:The fetal liver and spleen are assessed subjectively in the ultrasound scan. Measurements are possible and these can be done in terms of organ span, two-dimensional routine scan in two perpendicular planes or a three dimensional volume estimation. These do not enhance accuracy. Routine scanning protocols by academic professional bodies such as the ACOG, AIUM, RCOG etc do not include measuring the liver and spleen. Subjective evaluation is fairly accurate and enlargements are rarely missed. It must be remembered that the size of the fetal liver and spleen change during active labour as well.