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2D Sonographic Assessment of the Fetal Liver in Normal Pregnant Nigerian Women

Department of Medical Radiography, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria, kenagwu2000{at}yahoo.com

H.U. Chiegwu, MSc

Department of Medical Radiography, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria

I.C. Nwobi, MSc

Department of Radiography, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State

This study investigated the relationship between fetal liver volume (FLV) and gestational age (GA) in Nigerian subjects using 2D sonography. Fetal liver volume measurements were obtained from 900 normal singleton fetuses between 15 and 41 weeks GA (mean = 28 weeks). The FLV was computed from anterior-posterior, sagittal, and transverse dimensions of the fetal liver by assuming the liver to be a pyramidal structure. The mean FLV obtained ranged from 4.14 ± 0 cm ³ at 15 weeks to 76.88 ± 7.58 cm³ at 40 weeks and 79.45 ± 9.32 cm³ at 41 weeks. A simple regression analysis showed a positive linear relationship between GA and FLV (r = 0.98), which is described by the equation FLV = 53.53 + 3.246 GA. A strong positive correlation was also noted between FLV and biparietal diameter (BPD; r = 0.968), FLV and head circumference (r = 0.960), FLV and abdominal circumference (r = 0.901), and FLV and fetal weight (r = 0.979). Z test analysis showed no significant difference between GA estimated by FLV and GA estimated by BPD or femur length ( = 0.01). The use of FLV determined by 2D sonography has been shown to be accurate in dating pregnancy, and its use in a multiparameter biometry should improve the precision in predicting the expected date of delivery.

Key Words: sonography • gestational age • biometry • fetal liver

This version was published on November 1, 2008

Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Vol. 24, No. 6, 361-364 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/8756479308324033


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