Author/Authors :
ADEYEKUN, ABEMOLA A. University of Benin teaching hospital - Department of radiology, Nigeria , TSEBI, HARRISON B. University of Benin teaching hospital - Department of radiology, Nigeria
Abstract :
To defSne, by grey scale ultrasonography, normal portal vein diameter among healthy adults in Benin-City, Nigeria and correlate the values with age, gender and body mass index. This was a cross sectional ultrasound study of 250 randomly selected healthy subjects, under fasting conditions. Subjects with history of jaundice, alcoholism and liver disease were excluded. A 3.5MHz curvilinear transducer was used in scanning the selected subjects. Portal vein diameter was measured at its broadest pari, distal to the union of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins. Two hundred and fifty apparently healthy subjects were assessed, comprising of 53 males (21.2%), and 197 females [78.8%], Portal vein diameter ranged from -14mm, with a mean value of 10.3 ± 1.5mm. The mean value for males was 10,5 ± 1.5mm, and, for females 10,2 ±1,3mm, There was no significant correlation between measured values and age, gender and body mass index. The range of measurements obtained in this study has provided reference values for portal vein diameter in our environment. Thus, objective assessment of changes in portal vein diameter as mav occur in some disease conditions such as portal hypertension can be made.
