Sonographic estimation of liver volume of healthy students in Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: The liver is one of the largest organs in the body with multiple functions and hence knowledge of the normal size is paramount in predicting the liver function. Sonography is one of the most frequently requested investigation in determining the liver size and the liver volume gives a better estimation compared to linear measurements. Studies from different population have differing liver volumes and there is inadequate information on the normal liver volume among adults in Uganda. Objectives: To estimate the liver volume of healthy students of Makerere University by ultrasound and correlate it with linear measurements and anthropometry. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study among students of Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. Ethical clearance from institutional review board of school of medicine, college of health science was obtained. A sample size of 393participants were measured. The study was conducted at the university hospital among students who had come for registration without any medical complaints. A portable ultrasound machine SIUI apogee model 1000, 2017, Guangdong China. A Prestige height meter and Prestige weighing machine Model No: WS0010 were used. Ultrasound of the liver with participants in supine position was done and liver measurements were taken in full inspiration. Calculation of the liver volume using Childs et al (2016) formula “volume=345.71+0.84xCCRLxAPRLxAPLL” was done and results entered in data collection sheet. Data was reviewed by the principal investigator and the radiologists for completeness and entered into Epidata version 3 and analyzed using STATA. Results: The total number of participants was of 393 with exclusion of 7 students due to liver pathology like liver cysts, masses and abnormal echogenicity. The number of females was 207 (52.7%) and 186 males ( 47.3%). The majority of the students were between the age range of 18-22years with a mean age of 21years. The central region had 36.8% who were the most and the least where from the northern region with 13.5%.The mean height was 164.3cm for all the students with males being taller than the females.. The overall BMI was within the normal WHO category with percentage of 75%and the mean BSA was 1.6+/-0.2 which was comparable for both the males and females. The mean liver volume was 864.7±143.3with the males having a higher mean liver volume of 917.1cm3 compared with the females of 817.6cm3. . Liver volume correlated with weight and BSA with r=0.466 and 0.488 respectively compared with 0.329 and 0.297 for height and BMI respectively. There was a 7 positive correlation between liver volume and the linear measurements with p=0.0000. The AP dimensions had a stronger correlation of r=0.80 with APLL, r=0.77 with APRL compared with maxCC of r=0.58 and r=0.67 with CCRL. Conclusion: The mean liver volume for healthy students of Makerere university was 864.7±143.3cm3 Weight and body surface area had a stronger correlation with the liver volume compared to height and body mass index. The anteroposterior diameters (APLL and APRL) had strongest correlation with liver volume as compared to maxCC measurement.