A Morphometric Analysis of Harbin's Index in Human Cadaveric Livers

Background: Cirrhosis is a chief cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease worldwide, accounting to about 2.2% global deaths. Of the various morphological features and signs used to diagnose cirrhosis, the caudate-right lobe ratio or Harbin’s Index has been found to show high specificity for accurate diagnosis. Materials & Methods: 60 adult human cadaveric livers were included in the study. The morphometric measurements of caudate lobe and right lobe widths were performed using digital vernier calipers. The Harbin’s Index was calculated as the ratio of caudate lobe width to width of right lobe of liver respectively and the data was statistically analyzed. Results: The average width of the caudate lobe was found to be 28.38 ± 6.81mm, with values ranging from 12.36 mm to 45.6 mm respectively. Average right lobe width was found to be 93.62 ± 11.18 mm with a range of 64.47 mm to 116.85 mm respectively. Harbin’s index calculated as ratio of caudate to right lobe widths was found to show a mean value of 0.31 ± 0.09 with maximum value of 0.71 and minimum value of 0.16 respectively. No statistically significant correlation was found to exist between caudate and right lobe widths respectively. Conclusion: Cirrhotic livers often show right lobe atrophy with compensatory hypertrophy of caudate lobe. Harbin’s Index values >0.65 have been globally accepted as indicative of liver cirrhosis.