Ultrasonic measurement of the liver size in normal adult Nigerians at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Clinically, liver size is estimated by palpation and percussion. However this method is not without limitation, which is overcome by use of ultrasound scan. The purpose of this study is to establish a normal range of liver size for adults in Nigeria through ultrasound imaging to assist in clinical evaluation of the liver and also to highlight factors influencing liver size in the adults.

Methods: Measurement of the liver size of 255 adults were done using ultrasound scan. The largest craniocaudal and anterioposterior dimensions were taken at the midclavicular line. Height and weight of the patients were also recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS 14.0 for windows evaluation version.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-five normal subjects who met the laid down criteria for normal liver were studied. The age range was 16 - 65 years with mean age of 34.68 ± 11.84 years. The mean craniocaudal dimension decreases as the age range increases while the mean anterioposterior dimension increases with age range. Weight was found to have better correlation for both craniocaudal and anterioposterior dimensions followed by height.

Conclusion: Ultrasound measurement of liver size is non-invasive and enables direct visualization of the liver. The present study suggests that both the craniocaudal and anterioposterior dimensions should be measured when evaluating liver size with ultrasound scan. Gender and weight of patient should be taken into consideration when assessing the size of the liver using ultrasound scan as these factors affects the size of the liver.

Keywords: Ultrasound, Liver size, Height, Weight, Age