Sonographic Study of Portal Vein Parameters in Apparently Healthy Adults in Abakaliki Metropolis, South East Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of medical imaging and radiation sciences Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. S40 - S41
• Main Authors: Akochi, SJ, Anizor, M, Otuh, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.12.2022
• Subjects: parameters; Portal vein; ultrasonography; ultrasonography; parameters; Portal vein
• ISSN: 1939-8654; 1876-7982
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.10.132

Ultrasonography is the diagnostic method of choice for visualization and rational work up of abdominal organs. Portal hypertension is a common clinical presentation of portal venous disease with multiple causes and several sequelae. Availability of normal measurements of the portal venous parameters is therefore important; especially where portal pressure monitoring devices are unavailable. This Study was conducted to determine the mean portal vein (PV) parameters in apparently healthy adults in Abakaliki metropolis and correlate with age and anthropometry following an ethical approval and informed consent. It was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Radiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; and involved 384 (176 males and 208 females) subjects aged between 18 and 90 years (mean 32.84±11.79 years). The PV parameters were measured midway between the fusion of the splenic vein with the superior mesenteric vein and the bifurcation of the PV into the right and left main branches following an overnight fast and the values correlated with age and anthropometry. The PV parameters obtained were as follows: portal vein diameter (PVD), 1.052 ± 0.178 cm (range: 1.021-1.315); cross sectional area (CSA), 0.895 ± 0.298 cm2 (range: 0.839-1.365) and mean flow velocity, 15.38 ± 2.202 cm/s (range: 14.368-16.300). There was a moderate positive correlation of PVD and the CSA with age (r = 0.304 and 0.334 respectively; p = 0.000). Similarly, there was a moderate negative correlation of PVD and the CSA with height (r = -0.277 and -0.295 respectively; p = 0.000). The PVD and the CSA showed a weak negative correlation with BSA (r = -0.180 and -0.170 respectively; p = 0.000). All measurements in females were higher than males but with no significant statistical difference. The upper limits of normal PVD, CSA and mean flow velocity were 1.315 cm, 1.365 cm2 and 16.300 cm/s respectively. Portal venous parameters beyond these limits should prompt the need for further investigations.