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

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