Anakwue A.C., Anakwue R.C., Ugwu A.C., Nwogu U.B., Idigo F.U., Agwu K.K.
Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria; Department Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Anakwue, A.C., Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria; Anakwue, R.C., Department Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; Ugwu, A.C., Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra state, Nigeria; Nwogu, U.B., Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria; Idigo, F.U., Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria; Agwu, K.K., Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria
Background: Portal vein size is a diagnostic index useful in measuring portal hypertension which is found in many disease conditions including cirrhosis where it occurs in > 60% of cases. Aims: The aim of this work is to determine the normal portal vein diameter in adult Nigerians. There is paucity of work describing the portal vein diameter in Nigerians. Method: In this work we used a 2 D ultrasound- a non invasive method to assess the portal vein size in 200 adults aged 20-79 years of both sexes. Results: The mean diameter of normal portal vein in the subjects was 11.45mm±1.49. Conclusion: The portal vein diameter obtained in this work is comparable to that found in Caucasians. This information can be useful in diagnosing and treating portal hypertension in a variety of clinical situations. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2009.