Amna Tariq, Saira Rehman, Ghazala Hanif, Abid Ali Qureshi.
Portal vein parameters in pediatric age group using real time sonography and doppler ultrasound.
Pak Paed J Jan ;36(3):146-51.

Aim: To evaluate the normal diameter of portal vein and its physiological Doppler ultrasound flow characteristics in children. Materials and Methods: Children (0-18years old) with no clinical evidence of hepatobiliary disorder underwent grey scale and color Doppler sonography using standard equipment in the Radiology Department of Children Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore over a period of 4 months. Parameters of portal vein including diameter, velocity and pressure gradient were assessed. Results: Among the 110 participants enrolled in this study, 67 (61%) were male and 43 (39%) were female. They were subdivided into three age groups. Results for males and females were compiled separately. In the age group 0 to 06 years, in females the mean portal vein diameter was 7.0mm±1.57, mean velocity was 0.18m/s±0.02 and mean pressure gradient was 0.17 mmHg ±0.07. In males the mean portal vein diameter was 6.7mm±2.02, mean velocity was 0.18m/s± 0.02 and mean pressure gradient was 0.15 mmHg ±0.06. In the age group 07 to 12 years, in females the mean portal vein diameter was 8.5mm±1.49, mean velocity was 0.19m/s±0.02 and mean pressure gradient was 0.17 mmHg ±0.07. In males the mean portal vein diameter was 8.8mm±1.65, mean velocity was 0.18m/s ± 0.05 and mean pressure gradient was 0.18 mmHg ±0.08. In the age group 13 to 18 years, in females the mean portal vein diameter was 9.87mm±1.22, mean velocity was 0.20m/s±0.02 and mean pressure gradient was 0.16 mmHg ±0.05. In males the mean portal vein diameter was 9.6mm ± 0.86, mean velocity was 0.20m/s ± 0.01 and mean pressure gradient was 0.17 mmHg ±0.04. There was no statistically significant difference between mean portal vein diameters, mean velocity of blood in portal vein and the mean pressure gradient of the two sexes in all age groups. Conclusion: A range of portal vein parameters was established in healthy children. There is an increase in the portal vein diameter and velocity with increasing age.

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