Caliber of splenic arteries in predicting the existence of esophageal varices
Journal
Journal of Medical Ultrasound
Journal Volume
5
Journal Issue
1
Pages
16-20
Date Issued
1997
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the caliber of splenic arteries in predicting the existence of esophageal varices. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 130 patients with liver disease including 90 cirrhotics with esophageal varices, 20 cirrhotics without esophageal varices and 20 chronic hepatitis patients 30 normal subjects, and 15 patients with hematologic malignancies and splenomegaly. By using a Toshiba SSA-270A ultrasound scanner, measurements of the caliber of splenic arteries and the spleen size were performed for each case. Mann-Whitney U test and linear regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. Results: A significant linear correlation between the caliber of splenic arteries and the spleen size was noted in the group of cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices. The mean caliber of splenic arteries was significantly larger in the two groups with splenomegaly (ie, 90 cirrhotics with esophageal varices and 15 patients with hematologic malignancies) in comparison with the three groups without splenomegaly (ie, 30 normal subjects, 20 cirrhotics without esophageal varices and 20 chronic hepatitis patients): 0.61 and 0.65 cm vs 0.43, 0.45 and 0.44 cm, respectively (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of splenic artery caliber greater than 0.52 cm for predicting esophageal varices was 92%, and that of spleen size greater than 23 cm2 was 89%. When either a splenic artery caliber greater than 0.52 cm or a spleen size greater than 23 cm2 was used for predicting the existence of esophageal varices, the sensitivity was increased to 97% (87/90). Conclusion: The caliber of splenic arteries can be a complementary parameter to the spleen size in the prediction of the existence of esophageal varices, which is usually an important manifestation of portal hypertension.
Subjects
Liver cirrhosis; Portal hypertension; Spleen size; Splenic artery caliber
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; aged; artery diameter; article; chronic hepatitis; controlled study; echography; esophagus varices; female; hematologic disease; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; human; liver cirrhosis; major clinical study; male; portal hypertension; regression analysis; spleen artery; spleen size; splenomegaly; Taiwan
Publisher
Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Type
journal article