Measurement of the height difference between right and left hemi diaphragm in normal Sudanese adult using postero-anterior chest radiograph

Abstract

The thoracic diaphragm is an important organ that separates the thoracic organ from the abdominal viscera. The study was done in Fedail hospital at time from January to march 2013 using major x-ray machine and computed radiography processing unit. The study was done to determine the distance between right and left hemidiaphragm in normal Sudanese adult. The study sample was 100 sample 50 (50%) males and (50%) females, with different ages starting from 18 to 82, all subjects was with normal abdominal ultrasound and normal chest x-ray. The measurement was done on ideal PA chest radiograph by identify the measurement point clearly and measure the distance from the highest point of right hemidiaphragm to highest point of the left hemidiaphragm. the study found that the right hemidiaphragm was higher than the left in 98% of total sample and the left was higher in 1% and they were in the same height in 1% of total sample. The right was higher in range of 1cm to 2.5cm in 79%. The study found that there was a correlation between the distance between right and left hemidiaphragm and subject age, body mass index (BMI), height and weight. The distance the distance increased as body mass index, height and weight increased, while the distance decreased as the age increased. Computed radiography was useful in such measurement of the because measurement point can be identified accurately and easily by manipulating the image resolution, contrast and zooming.