การประเมินขนาดตับอ่อนปกติด้วยเอกซเรย์คอมพิวเตอร์และปัจจัยที่สัมพันธ์กับขนาดตับอ่อนของผู้ใหญ่ไทยในโรงพยาบาลเจ้าพระยายมราช จังหวัดสุพรรณบุรี

Thamonpon Pholpraserth

Authors

Thamonpon Pholpraserth Chaoprayayommaraj Hospital, Suphanburi

Keywords:

pancreas, pancreatic size, computed tomography, reference value

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of normal pancreatic size is important, as changes in pancreatic size are the feature used in conjunction with other findings to differentiate pathological conditions. Several studies conducted in other countries have investigated normal pancreatic size and volume, as well as factors influencing pancreatic dimensions. However, there is currently a lack of studies evaluating normal pancreatic size in the Thai population, which may differ from other populations due to variations in anatomical characteristics and ethnicity.

Objective: To determine normal pancreatic dimensions in the Thai population in Suphanburi and to assess factors associated with pancreatic size, including age, sex, abdominal diameter, and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 200 subjects without known conditions affecting pancreatic size who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) at Chaoprayayommarat Hospital, Suphanburi, Thailand, between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. Subjects were stratified into five age groups (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and ≥60 years) and further categorized by sex (male and female), resulting in a total of ten groups. The pancreatic size was measured in three regions: head, body, and tail. Abdominal diameter and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including two-way MANOVA, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: The mean sizes of the pancreatic head, body, and tail were 26.44±5.35, 19.74±4.54, and 22.09±4.81 mm, respectively. Age showed a significant negative association with pancreatic body and tail dimensions in multiple linear regression analysis (p<0.001), but not with the head. A positive correlation was observed between pancreatic size and abdominal diameter, with a moderate correlation in the pancreatic head (r=0.459–0.518, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that sagittal abdominal diameter was an independent factor associated with pancreatic size in all regions. No significant difference in pancreatic size was found between males and females.

Conclusion: Pancreatic size in the Thai population in Suphanburi is associated with age and abdominal diameter. The reference values obtained from this study may be useful for evaluating pancreatic size and supporting clinical diagnosis in conjunction with clinical and imaging findings.

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