Sonographic assessment of the portal vein diameter in apparently healthy adults in a Northern Nigerian population.

Geofery Luntsi , Mohammed Sani, Joseph Dlama Zira, Nwobi Chigozie Ivor, Sani H Garba
1. Department of Medical Radiography, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
2. Department of Radiology Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
3. Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract
Background: Sonography is a valuable tool in the assessment of porto-systemic pathologies. This study aimed at determining
the mean portal vein diameter based on age, gender and anthropometric variables.

Methods: A cross sectional study conducted among 201 apparently healthy adults in Bauchi Metropolis. Participants were  recruited from the school of nursing AbubakarTafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi. Ultrasound machine  ALOKA SSD-1000, (IP-1233EV, SN-57324, Japan) with curvilinear transducer with frequency of 3-5MHz was used for a period  of four months, (December 2015 to April 2016). Participants’ heights were measured while standing against a meter rule with  the head in Frankfurts’ position and weight measured using a weighing scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0.  Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation), and Pearson’s Correlation were used.

Results: The mean portal vein diameter was 9.60 ± 1.41mm for both sexes. The mean value for males was 9.71 ± 1.42mm, and 9.35±1.46mm among females. There was a positive correlation correlation between the PV diameter and Body Mass Index (P  ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion: This study found the mean values of PV diameter in apparently healthy adults in our environment to be 9.60 ±  1.41mm and that PV diameter positively correlates with anthropometric variables.

Keywords: Portal vein diameter, sonography, Nigerian population, healthy adults.