Splenic and Liver Elastography in Prediction of Esophageal Varices and Variceal Severity in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: A Diagnostic Validation Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the value of shear wave elastography (SWE) to predict the presence of esophageal varices (EVs) and to predict high-grade EV in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. One hundred twenty-one CLD patients were recruited. Liver stiffness (LS) and splenic stiffness (SS) were measured using SWE.

Results Evaluation of LS is superior to SS in predicting the presence of EV. Evaluation of SS is more valuable than LS in grading EV.

Conclusion LS and SS have good diagnostic performance in predicting and grading varices. SWE is simple to incorporate into standard ultrasonography assessments in patients with CLD. SWE can be used as an adjunct to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to screen and monitor CLD patient.

Keywords

liver stiffness - splenic stiffness - chronic liver disease - shear wave elastography - esophageal varices - upper gastrointestinal endoscopy - ultrasonography

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