Ultrasound Assessment of Pancreatic Dimensions in Normal Adults in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The pancreas can be imaged using ultrasound to provide details on its size, echotexture, ductal anatomy, and surrounding tissues. Diagnostic and interventional procedures can be easily completed quickly and for a low cost. Objectives: To determine the normal pancreatic dimensions among normal adults, and their relationship with age, sex, height, weight and body mass index. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted in four health institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria between July, 2022 and February, 2023. Data analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for Windows® version 25, SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages) and analysis of variance were done. The cutoff for statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The head of the pancreas was largest with a mean of 2.43 ± 0.58 cm. The age of the sample population had a significant positive correlation with pancreatic head (r=0.415, p<0.05), body (r=0.491, p<0.05) and tail (r=0.105, p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the pancreatic tail dimensions between males and female (p=0.01).A negative correlation was observed between height of the participants and the dimensions of the pancreatic head and body. There was a positive correlation between height and pancreatic tail dimensions. Conclusion: This study has established baseline values for normal range of pancreatic dimensions in healthy males and females for different age-groups in our environment, and also revealed various levels of correlation between pancreatic dimensions and age, sex, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).