Background:Sonographic evaluation of abdominal organs is an important work up in managing sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. This study aimed at evaluating abdominal organs by sonography among SCD patients.Methodology:A cross-sectional study was carried out in Maiduguri, Nigeria from April 2014 to July 2015. Two hundred and fifty-two patients participated in the study, with 126 controls and 126 SCD patients. There were 131 (52%) males, and 121 (48%) females, with age range 3–38 years. Measurements were done using ultrasound machine with probe frequencies ranging from 1–4MHz and 4–9MHz in supine, right and left oblique positions for optimum visualization of the abdominal organs.Results:Participants within the age range of 10–15 years had the highest frequency with 88 (34.9%), followed by those within the age group of 17–23 years with 86 (34.1%), and the least were those within the age group of 30 years and above with 8 (3.2%). Hepatomegaly was found in 53 (75.7%), and increased echogenicity of the liver was found in 50 (94.3%) of the SCD patients, P = 0.000. Gallstones were found in 45 (17.9%), gallbladder sludge was found in 51 (21.4%) and thickened gallbladder wall was found in 84 (33.3%) of the SCD patients, P = 0.000. Autosplenectomy was found in 45 (17.9%), splenomegaly in 63 (24.9%), and calcified spleen in 18 (8.7%) of the SCD patients, P = 0.000. Enlarged kidneys in SCD patients were found in 61 (98.4%) and 63 (98.4%) on the right and left kidneys, respectively. Shrunken kidneys were found in 5 (2.0%) and 4 (1.6%) of the SCD patients on the right and left kidneys, respectively, P = 0.000.Conclusion:Abdominal sonography in SCD patients revealed varied remarkable changes in the size, echotexture, intraluminal deposits and wall thickness in the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and spleen.

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.

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