Doppler Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Normal Vertebral Arteries of Nigerian Adults In Ibadan.

Background: Doppler ultrasonography has made non-invasive evaluation of the vertebral arteries (VA) possible and normal values of the diameter and Doppler flow velocimetries of the vertebral artery are prerequisite to assessing pathologic conditions of the vertebral artery. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine normal values for the vertebral artery diameter and flow velocities in adult individuals in the study population. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 subjects were selected by stratified random sampling from patients that presented in the ultrasound suite of the Radiology Department of our institution for examination of the other parts of the body. The diameter and flow velocities of the VA were measured using a General Electric LogiqP5 ultrasound unit with 6-10MHz linear transducer. Results: One hundred and fifty subjects made up of 62 (41.3%) males and 88 (S8.7%) females were examined. The ages ranged from 20 to 80 years (mean 40.89±14.49 years). The mean diameter of the vertebral arteries (VA) was 3.S± 0.66mm and 3.6±0.74mm on the right and left respectively. The mean PSV of the second segment of the VA were 48.S9±13.4Scmls and 48 .21± 12.4cmls on the right and left respectively. The mean EDV for the second segment of the VA were 17.39 ±S.62cmls and 17.98±S.64 cmls on the right and left respectively. Women had slightly thinner vertebral arteries with higher Doppler velocimetries. There was no correlation between the diameter of the VA, Doppler velocimetries, and the age, gender and BMI of the subjects. Conclusion: The availability of Doppler facilities has made it possible to evaluate the vertebral arteries non- invasively. The normal values in the study area have been documented and may be used as reference values. The previously reported wider diameter in males and the wider diameter of the left vertebral artery were confirmed in this study.