article · West African Journal of Allied Health Sciences
Accurate clinical ultrasound interpretations require population-specific reference values. This study recorded normative sonographic dimensions for the intrahepatic inferior vena cava, liver span, and common bile duct in 150 healthy adult Nigerians aged 19 to 70. Using B-mode ultrasound, measurements were taken during both inspiration and expiration to assess respiratory variability alongside age and gender effects. The recorded average inferior vena cava diameter was 2.19 cm during inspiration and 2.66 cm during expiration, yielding an inferior vena cava collapsibility index of 21.4 percent. The mean liver span was 13.4 cm, and the common bile duct measured 0.22 cm in inspiration and 0.30 cm in expiration. The inferior vena cava dimensions showed no significant differences by gender, while a weak positive correlation was observed between liver span and age.
Ultrasound is a primary diagnostic tool, but applying foreign anatomical reference ranges can lead to misinterpretation. Establishing normal baseline values for healthy Nigerian adults allows clinicians to more accurately detect organ enlargement, biliary issues, and changes in intravascular volume status.
This research provides clinical reference data directly applicable to ultrasound diagnostic workflows and radiology reporting software in healthcare facilities across Nigeria. As an applied observational dataset, the baseline values are immediately ready for clinical reference by medical sonographers, radiologists, and emergency clinicians without requiring further technological development.
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ABSTRACT Background: Population-specific reference values for sonographic measurements are essential for accurate clinical interpretation. While ultrasound is widely used in Nigeria, comprehensive normative data for intra-abdominal vascular structures, particularly the inferior vena cava (IVC), are limited for the Nigerian population. Objective: To establish normative reference values for intrahepatic IVC diameter, liver span, and common bile duct (CBD) diameter in healthy adults in North-Eastern Nigeria, and to evaluate their variations with respiration, age, and gender. Methods: A prospective study of 150 healthy adults comprising 78 males and 72 females, aged 19-70 years. B-mode ultrasound using a GE Logic S8 with 3-5MHz transducer was use to measure intrahepatic IVC diameter (transverse and longitudinal) during inspiration and expiration, liver span in mid-clavicular line, and CBD diameter. Collapsibility index was calculated. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, and Pearson's correlation. Results: Mean age was 41.72±13.20 years. Normative values were: IVC transverse diameter (inspiration: 1.48±0.51 cm; expiration: 1.80±0.50 cm), IVC longitudinal diameter (inspiration: 1.43±0.53 cm; expiration: 1.71±0.51 cm), average IVC diameter (inspiration: 2.19±0.52 cm; expiration: 2.66±0.50 cm), IVC collapsibility index (21.4±8.7%), liver span (13.4±1.8 cm), and CBD diameter (inspiration: 0.22±0.04 cm; expiration: 0.30±0.07 cm). No significant gender differences were found in IVC dimensions (p>0.05). Weak positive correlation was found between age and liver span (r=0.177, p=0.030). Conclusion: This study establishes comprehensive normative sonographic values for intrahepatic IVC, liver span, and CBD in a Nigerian population. The IVC collapsibility index of 21.4% provides a reference for assessing intravascular volume status. These population-specific values will enhance the accuracy of ultrasound interpretation in clinical practice in Nigeria and similar populations.
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DOI: 10.67891/9jj9yt70
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