Cardiothoracic Ratio, Vertical Height, Transverse Dimension of the Trachea of Nigerians Resident Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiothoracic ratio and vertical height are important indicators of cardiac size. The chest radiograph provides excellent contrast between the air-filled, cardiac, and aortic outlines. Aim of the study: This study was aimed at determining the cardiothoracic ratio, vertical height, transverse dimension of the trachea of Nigerians resident in Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out in the Radiology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State. The study duration was 8 months (January–September, 2021), which involved four hundred and forty-eight (216 males and 232 females) normal chest radiographs of adult Rivers aged between 18 and above. The radiographs were found to be normal by a qualified radiologist in the department. Random sampling was used to determine the sample size for the study. Results and Discussions: Males [VH(cm) 1.49±0.40; TDT(cm) 20.20±2.81; ACR(cm) 0.46±0.068]; females [VH(cm) 19.08±2.58; ACR(cm) 0.48±0.06; CTR (cm) 41.44±3.40]. The males had repeatedly higher values vertical height and cardiothoracic ratio than the females, while the females had a higher value for aorto-cardiac ratio. Conclusions: The values of vertical height, cardiothoracic ratio, transverse dimension of trachea, and aorto-cardiac ratio demonstrated sexual dimorphism, the males had consistently higher values than the females except for aorto-cardiac ratio.