Sonographic measurement of fasting gallbladder volume in healthy adults in North-West, Nigeria

Background: Quantitative assessment of gallbladder volume (GBV) is an important tool for evaluating many pathologic conditions affecting the gallbladder (GB). Therefore, there is need to establish a baseline sonographic normogram of GBV in our locality for early detection and follow-up of subjects that may develop GB diseases. Objective: To determine the mean and range of fasting GBV and to assess the relationship between GBV and age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional prospective study conducted at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, North-Western Nigeria. Four hundred healthy adults aged 18–60 years were recruited for the study. Subjects were scanned using Esaote MyLab 40 (Italy) ultrasound and a 3.5 MHz curvilinear transducer after 6–8 h fasting. Scanning was done in supine and right anterior oblique positions. The length, height and width of the GB were obtained and the volume (cm 3 ) calculated using the ellipsoid formula. The height and weight of the subjects were measured and their respective BMI calculated. Results: There were 238 males (59.5%) and 162 (40.5%) females, with an age range between 18 and 60 years and mean age of 35.6 years (±12.9). The mean fasting GBV was 24.2 cm 3 (±8.4 cm 3 ), with a volume range of 11.1–50.9 cm 3 . The mean BMI was 23.75 Kg/m 2 (±8.25). GBV was found to be significantly larger in males compared to females ( P = 0.043); larger in older individuals ( P = 0.000); and larger in those with higher BMI ( P = 0.000). Conclusion: The study has established a mean fasting GBV of 24.2 cm 3 among healthy adults in Kano, North-Western Nigeria. This mean showed positive correlation and variation with age, sex and BMI. The values obtained in this study are comparable with values from other geo-political zones in Nigeria and other parts of the world.