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Article Type

Original Study

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.

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