The development of a practical and uncomplicated predictive equation to determine liver volume from simple linear ultrasound measurements of the liver

• A new model to calculate liver volumes from simple linear ultrasound measurements.
• This model was compared to the linear measurements currently used clinically.
• The new model holds value in tracking disease progress or response to treatment.
• This model is better as an indicator of overall liver size.

This study sought to develop a practical and uncomplicated predictive equation that could accurately calculate liver volumes, using multiple simple linear ultrasound measurements combined with measurements of body size. Penalized (lasso) regression was used to develop a new model and compare it to the ultrasonic linear measurements currently used clinically. A Bland–Altman analysis showed that the large limits of agreement of the new model render it too inaccurate to be of clinical use for estimating liver volume per se, but it holds value in tracking disease progress or response to treatment over time in individuals, and is certainly substantially better as an indicator of overall liver size than the ultrasonic linear measurements currently being used clinically.