Two-dimensional Shear-Wave Elastography Evaluate Esophageal Varices Bleeding Risk of Liver Cirrhosis
Two-dimensional Shear-Wave Elastography Evaluate Esophageal Varices Bleeding Risk of Liver Cirrhosis
The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of
 2D-SWE for predicting the presence of esophageal varices and high-risk varices in patients
 with liver cirrhosis.
Variceal bleeding is a fatal complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. A screening
 esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is recommended in all patients with cirrhosis to identify
 those patients at risk of variceal bleeding. However, this technique is invasive,
 uncomfortable and costly. Moreover, with the development of noninvasive technology for early
 diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, half of these patients will not develop varices within 10 years
 and therefore will undergo unnecessary EGD screening. Thus, the need for noninvasive
 screening methods for varices in patients with cirrhosis is urgent.

 2D-SWE is a promising new type of shear wave-based ultrasound technique for measuring LS. The
 shear waves are generated directly within the tissue by acoustic radiation force impulse,
 allowing the measurement of stiffness in patients with ascites. In addition, the LS values
 can be obtained on the basis of anatomic information to avoid major vessels and control major
 measurement bias. 2D-SWE has been reported to have high reliability and reproducibility in
 assessing liver stiffness. Several studies compared TE with 2D-SWE in predicting fibrosis
 stages and portal hypertension, which suggested that 2D-SWE has a higher technical success
 rate and a better diagnostic value for portal hypertension than TE.The purpose of this
 retrospective study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of 2D-SWE for predicting
 the presence of esophageal varices and high-risk varices in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Cirrhosis were diagnosed by liver biopsy, CT and ultrasound before enrolled

 -  Age was 16-80

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  With bleeding history

 -  With EVL history, BRTO or TIPS history

 -  With NSBB history

 -  With ascites

 -  With splenectomy or splenic embolism, history

 -  With liver cancer