Morphometry of the Portal Vein: Ultrasound Anatomy about 1000 Cases

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine from a series of 1000 cases the usual dimensions of the portal vein according to the medical ultrasound. Methodology: We realized a transverse study over 2 years (from January 2015 to December 2017). It concerned an ultrasound exploration of the portal vein. The studied population was healthy voluntary subjects visible without history of abdominal trauma and abdominal operating scar. Results: The average age was 39 years ± 12.16 with extremes of 19 years and 70 years. The decade of 21 - 29 years represented 46.2%. The transverse diameter of the portal vein in its origin varied between 8 and 10 mm in 57.9% of the cases. The average was 9.05 ± 2.82 mm with extremes of 5 and 16 mm. The transverse diameter of the portal vein in its ending varied between 8 and 10 mm in 56.9%. In 29.8% of the cases, the length of the portal vein was between 61 and 70 mm and in 8.8% between 81 and 100 mm. The average length was 58 ± 22.3 mm. Before its penetration in the liver, the portal vein divided into 2 branches in 967 cases (96.7%) and in 3 branches in 33 cases (3.3%). Conclusion: This original study shows the normal dimensions of the portal vein to Malian.