Sonographic Evaluation of Liver Dimensions among Apparently Healthy Adult Subjects in Kano Metropolis

Abstract

The ability to ascertain the human liver by a sonographer allows for the diagnosis of various liver pathologies, establishing normal liver size aids in determining the treatment method for the underlying liver pathology. The study was aimed at evaluating normal liver size among apparently healthy adult subjects and to establish a reference value in Kano Metropolis. The study design was prospective and cross-sectional conducted in Kano Metropolis from June 2019 to September 2019. Using simple random sampling, a total of 384 subjects were recruited in the study. An EDAN ultrasound machine with a 3.5MHz curvilinear probe was used as the instrument for data collection. Age, height, weight, BMI and BSA were recorded on a data capture sheet. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 23.0. The mean (±SD) for cranio-caudal dimension of the right lobe was found to be 14.99±0.74cm in males and 14.38±0.72cm in females, mean left lobe 5.76±0.85cm in males and 5.39±0.81cm in females. The mean AP diameter of the right lobe was 13.02±1.12cm in males and 12.34±0.95cm in females. Liver dimension in males was greater than that of females (p˂0.001). Age and weight show significant moderate correlations with liver dimensions. (r=0.52, p˂0.001 and r=0.44, p˂0.001) in both males and females respectively. In Kano Metropolitan population, liver size was greater in males than females. It correlates significantly with age and weight in both males and females.