Prevalence of portal vein thrombosis in patients with chronic liver disease using triphasic computed tomography scan as diagnostic modality: A study in Jos, North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the complications of chronic liver disease (CLD), and the prevalence varies from country to country as well as the method utilized in determining the presence of the thrombosis. Objective: The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of PVT in patients with CLD in our locality using triphasic computed tomography as a diagnostic modality. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study. The triphasic computed tomography scan of the abdomen of 121 patients from January 2019 to April 2020 was retrieved and reviewed for the presence of PVT. Results: The mean age for the study population was 54.4 ± 13.4 years with age range of 22–100 years. Out of the 121 patients, 46 patients had PVT constituting the prevalence of 38.0%. The PVT is more in males (80.4%) than females (19.6). The thrombosis is more in the age group of 41–50 years. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of PVT in our locality possibly because patients present in the later stage of CLD. PVT is associated with ascites and multiple hepatic masses.