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Determination of normal portal vein diameter on ultrasound scan among adults in northeastern Nigeria

Background: Despite the safety, affordability, and widespread use of ultrasound (US); there is paucity of literature on ultrasonographic assessment of portal vein (PV) diameter in adult patients in our environment. This study was aimed at determining the mean and range of PV diameter in normal adults in northeastern Nigeria. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was carried out at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January and June, 2013. Two hundred and fifty normal adult male and female patients aged 18 years and above underwent abdominal ultrasonography for measurement of their main, right, and left PV diameter in both inspiration and expiration. The relationship between the PV diameter and age was correlated using Pearson′s correlation test. While the difference between the two sexes and phases of respiration were compared using Student′s t-test. Results: There were 187 (74.8%) males and 63 (25.2%) females aged between 19 and 77 years, mean 43.78 ± 12.97 years. The mean diameter of the main PV was 10.87 mm ± 0.81. The mean diameter of the right and left PVs were 4.35 mm ± 0.52 and 4.12 mm ± 0.52, respectively. The PV diameter correlated with age and respiratory phases (P < 0.05). There was statistically significant difference in PV diameter between males and females (P < 0.05) with values higher in females. Conclusion: The mean PV diameter in normal adults has been established in northeastern Nigeria. The diameter correlated with age and showed significant difference between the two sexes and respiratory phases.