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Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was to measure liver stiffness by fibroscan to predict esophageal varices (EV) in patients with chronic liver diseases. Background Fibroscan is a novel, noninvasive, ultrasound-based technology that allows measuring liver stiffness. It is a noninvasive method for assessing EV, developed as an alternative to endoscopy. Patient and methods A total of 75 patients with chronic liver diseases were included in a case–control study from January 2015 to January 2016, aged greater than 18 years, with BMI less than 30 kg/m2, no history of previous endoscopic intervention for EV, no treatment with β-adrenergic receptor blockers, and absence of hepatocellular carcinoma or ascites. Patients underwent clinical examination, laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasonography, upper endoscopy, and fibroscan. They were divided into the following groups: group I, no varices; group IIa, small varices (grades 1 and 2), and group IIb, large varices (grades 3 and 4). Results The mean liver stiffness values were higher in group II (35.29 ± 10.07 kPa) compared with group I (22.80 ± 8.01 kPa), with high statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) and the best cut-off value (22.7 kPa) for the presence of varices. The sensitivity was 90%, and specificity was 56%. The mean liver stiffness values were higher in patients with large varices (group IIb) (46.50 ± 5.99 kPa) than in patients with small varices (group IIa) (31.75 ± 8.38), with high statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) and the best cut-off value (37 kPa) for the presence of large varices. The sensitivity was 91%, and specificity was 79%. Conclusion Liver stiffness measurement can predict the presence of EV and can also detect large-sized varices.

Article Type

Original Study

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