Computed tomography image-based assessment of mean portal vein diameter in a tertiary hospital of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: The portal vein is the main vessel of the portal venous system. This study aims to assess the mean portal vein diameter (MPVD) of healthy individuals using contrast-enhanced computed tomography and correlate it with age, gender, height, weight, and BMI.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiology at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from 6 Mar to 5 Sep 2024, following ethical approval. Inclusion criteria: adults ≥18 years with normal liver on CT for non-hepatic indications. Exclusion criteria: poor image quality, portal vein variants, and incomplete data. MPVD was measured at three levels on 3-mm axial CT images. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and Pearson correlations were used. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Among 426 participants, the mean MPVD was 13.65±1.70 mm. It was significantly larger in males (14.30±1.67 mm) than in females (12.98±1.39 mm), p<0.001. MPVD showed significant positive correlation with height, weight, and BMI (p<0.05) but not with age.

Conclusions: MPVD is significantly larger in males and correlates with height, weight, and BMI. These factors should be considered when defining normal portal vein diameter ranges.