Are caudate-right lobe ratio and splenic size correlated with the MELD score in cirrhotic patients?

Aim: To determine the relationship between caudate-right lobe ratio (C/R) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score.

Methods: The study included 50 patients with cirrhosis and a control group of 20 patients. C/R was measured as described by Harbin et al. The size of the spleen was measured on coronal images. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Web site was used for MELD score calculation. Aspartate to alanine aminotranferase (AST/ALT) ratio was calculated.

Results: There was statistically significant difference between the two groups. C/R, the size of the spleen, and AST/ALT values were significantly correlated with MELD score.

Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between the C/R and MELD score.