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Roccarina D, Deganello A, Buscemi P, Cidoni D, Meloni MF. Diagnostic insights into splenic pathologies: the role of multiparametric ultrasound. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2025; 50:1763-1774. [PMID: 39417855 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04628-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) evaluation of the spleen is mandatory in the assessment of patients with chronic liver disease, and splenomegaly can be a sign of systemic diseases. However, due to the lack of distinctive ultrasound findings in specific splenic pathologies, clinical diagnosis can be very challenging. Splenomegaly, defined by increased splenic dimensions, can indicate underlying systemic conditions and is a common manifestation of portal hypertension (PH). Ultrasound and Doppler techniques help assessing splenic involvement in PH. Splenic stiffness measurement, using elastography, offers additional diagnostic accuracy, especially when liver stiffness measurements are inconclusive. CEUS enhances the diagnostic capability for focal splenic lesions, differentiating between benign and malignant lesions by their distinct enhancement patterns, and plays also a critical role in the context of splenic traumatic pathology. Overall, CEUS significantly improves the characterization of splenic pathology, reducing the need for invasive procedures and ensuring appropriate patient management. This review article describes the normal US findings of the spleen and examines the role of multiparametric US in the evaluation of the most common splenic pathologies encountered in the daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Roccarina
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.
- UCL Division of Medicine - Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL, London, UK.
| | - Annamaria Deganello
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Paolo Buscemi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University Hospital of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Debora Cidoni
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, University Milano Bicocca, Bergamo, Italy
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Moga L, Paradis V, Ferreira-Silva J, Gudavalli K, Indulti F, Dajti E, Nicoara-Farcau O, Tosetti G, Antonenko A, Fodor A, Vidal-González J, Turco L, Capinha F, Elkrief L, Monllor-Nunell T, Goria O, Balcar L, Lannes A, Mallet V, Poujol-Robert A, Thabut D, Houssel-Debry P, Wong YJ, Ronot M, Vilgrain V, Rampally SP, Payancé A, Castera L, Reiberger T, Ferrusquía-Acosta J, Noronha Ferreira C, Vitale G, Simon-Talero M, Procopet B, Berzigotti A, Caccia R, Turon F, Schepis F, Ravaioli F, Colecchia A, Valsan A, Macedo G, Plessier A, Rautou PE. Performance of spleen stiffness measurement to rule out high-risk varices in patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder. Hepatology 2025; 81:546-559. [PMID: 38954825 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000001004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Baveno VII consensus suggests that screening endoscopy can be spared in patients with compensated cirrhosis when spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is ≤40 kPa as they have a low probability of high-risk varices (HRV). Conversely, screening endoscopy is required in all patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD). This study aimed to evaluate the performance of SSM-VCTE to rule out HRV in patients with PSVD and signs of portal hypertension. APPROACH AND RESULTS We retrospectively included patients with PSVD, ≥1 sign of portal hypertension, without a history of variceal bleeding, who underwent an SSM-VCTE within 2 years before or after an upper endoscopy in 21 VALDIG centers, divided into a derivation and a validation cohort. One hundred fifty-four patients were included in the derivation cohort; 43% had HRV. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, SSM-VCTE >40 kPa and serum bilirubin ≥1 mg/dL were associated with HRV. SSM-VCTE ≤40 kPa combined with bilirubin <1 mg/dL had a sensitivity of 96% to rule out HRV and could spare 38% of screening endoscopies, with 4% of HRV missed, and a 95% negative predictive value. In the validation cohort, including 155 patients, SSM combined with bilirubin could spare 21% of screening endoscopies, with 4% of HRV missed and a 94% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS This study gathering a total of 309 patients with PSVD showed that SSM-VCTE ≤40 kPa combined with bilirubin <1 mg/dL identifies patients with PSVD and portal hypertension with a probability of HRV <5%, in whom screening endoscopy can be spared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Moga
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation,Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Paradis
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation,Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
- Département d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Joel Ferreira-Silva
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Koushik Gudavalli
- Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Federica Indulti
- Gastroenterology Unit, CHIMOMO Department, University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elton Dajti
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Oana Nicoara-Farcau
- Department of Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", 3rd Medical Clinic and Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor", Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Department, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulia Tosetti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonina Antonenko
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreea Fodor
- Department of Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", 3rd Medical Clinic and Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor", Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Judit Vidal-González
- Liver Unit, Digestive Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Turco
- Internal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francisco Capinha
- Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Laure Elkrief
- Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, CHRU de Tours-Hôpital Trousseau, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Teresa Monllor-Nunell
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain
| | - Odile Goria
- Service d'Hépatogastroentérologie et Oncologie digestive, Hôpital Charles Nicolle-CHU de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrien Lannes
- Hépatogastro-entérologie et oncologie digestive, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| | - Vincent Mallet
- Service de Maladies du Foie, Groupe hospitalier Cochin-Port Royal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Armelle Poujol-Robert
- Department of Hépatologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine-Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Thabut
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière-Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Liver Intensive Care Unit, Paris, France
- Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Pauline Houssel-Debry
- Hôpital Pontchaillou-CHU de Rennes, Centre hépato-digestif-Maladies du foie, Rennes, France
| | - Yu Jun Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, SingHealth, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, GHU AP-HP Nord-Université Paris Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, GHU AP-HP Nord-Université Paris Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Sai Prasanth Rampally
- Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Audrey Payancé
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation,Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Castera
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation,Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - José Ferrusquía-Acosta
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain
| | - Carlos Noronha Ferreira
- Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Giovanni Vitale
- Internal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Macarena Simon-Talero
- Liver Unit, Digestive Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bogdan Procopet
- Department of Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", 3rd Medical Clinic and Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor", Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Riccardo Caccia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Fanny Turon
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Filippo Schepis
- Gastroenterology Unit, CHIMOMO Department, University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Ravaioli
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Colecchia
- Gastroenterology Unit, CHIMOMO Department, University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Arun Valsan
- Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Guilherme Macedo
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Aurélie Plessier
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation,Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation,Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
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Upadhyay P, Khanna R, Sood V, Lal BB, Alam S. Role of splenic hepatic elastography ratio in differentiating non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis and chronic liver disease in children and adolescents. Hepatol Int 2025; 19:234-243. [PMID: 39073748 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiation of Non-cirrhotic Portal Fibrosis (NCPF) from chronic liver disease (CLD) in children and adolescents with portal hypertension (PHT) is challenging especially in cases where liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and hepatic venous pressure gradient are higher. This objective of the current study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the splenic stiffness measurement (SSM)/LSM ratio in the diagnosis of NCPF. METHODS From January 2019 to December 2023, consecutive children and adolescents of 6 months to 18 years of age with PHT (CLD and NCPF) were prospectively enrolled. Transient elastography (TE) for SSM and LSM, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE), liver biopsy/trans-jugular liver biopsy, abdominal imaging, and laboratory evaluation were done. The relationship of TE parameters for diagnosis of NCPF and CLD was evaluated. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) statistics were applied using R Studio-4.2.2 statistical software. RESULTS One hundred and forty seven with CLD and 27 patients with NCPF were evaluated. Median age was 10.0 (IQR 2.4-14.0) years; 68.4% were males. The AUROC of SSM/LSM ratio was better (0.992, 95%CI 0.982-1.0001) than LSM (0.945, 95%CI0.913-0.977) and SSM (0.626, 95%CI0.258-0.489) for the diagnosis of NCPF. SSM/LSM ratio cut-off of 3.67 predicted NCPF with an excellent sensitivity (100%), specificity (95.9%), and diagnostic accuracy (95.91%). The AUROC of SSM/LSM ratio was excellent and outperformed other TE parameters in the subgroups, i.e., LSM between 10 and 20 kPa (0.982, 95%CI 0.947-1.000), without clinically significant varices (CSV) (1.000, 95%CI 1.000-1.000) and with CSV (0.993, 95%CI 0.983-1.000). Diagnostic performance of SSM/LSM Ratio was better than LSM for discriminating NCPF from CLD using McNemar test (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION The SSM/LSM ratio is an excellent tool in differentiating NCPF from CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Upadhyay
- Departments of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Rajeev Khanna
- Departments of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Vikrant Sood
- Departments of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Bikrant Bihari Lal
- Departments of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Seema Alam
- Departments of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India.
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Gaspar R, Macedo G. Non-Invasive versus Invasive Assessment of Portal Hypertension in Chronic Liver Disease. GE PORTUGUESE JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2024; 31:377-387. [PMID: 39633911 PMCID: PMC11614439 DOI: 10.1159/000538484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Cirrhosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and the second leading cause of digestive disease mortality. Portal hypertension is the main driver of cirrhosis-related complications such as ascites and variceal bleeding. Portal hypertension is defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient >5 mm Hg, although it is clinically significant and associated with clinical complications when >10 mm Hg. Summary Therefore, detection of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in chronic advanced liver disease or compensated cirrhosis is of paramount importance to guide the management of these patients. Key Messages This study aimed at revising the non-invasive and invasive tools for assessment of portal hypertension and risk stratification for CSPH in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gaspar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Guilherme Macedo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Kwape L, Gabriel S, Abdelsalem A, Rose P, Bathobakae L, Peterson D, Moodley D, Parker M, Moolla S, Parker A, Siamisang K, Van Rensburg C, Fredericks E. Evaluation of Noninvasive Tools for Predicting Esophageal Varices in Patients With Cirrhosis at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town. Int J Hepatol 2024; 2024:9952610. [PMID: 39296589 PMCID: PMC11410406 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9952610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: In patients with cirrhosis, esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) is a devastating consequence of portal hypertension (PH). Upper endoscopy is considered the gold standard for the detection and diagnosis of esophageal varices (EVs), despite being invasive and costly. This study was aimed at identifying and evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tools in predicting EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with compensated cirrhosis at the Tygerberg Hospital Gastroenterology Clinic in Cape Town between November 2022 and May 2023. We collected clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data from patients' physical and electronic charts. All patients underwent an abdominal ultrasound, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) to assess liver and splenic stiffness, and upper endoscopy. In this comparative study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of different noninvasive tools in detecting EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Results: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 30 (60%) were female and 20 (40%) were male. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 83, with a mean age of 46.6 years. Cirrhosis was mainly due to alcohol use (n = 11, 22%), hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (n = 11, 22%), and autoimmune hepatitis (n = 10, 20%). The patients included in the study were divided into two subgroups: with (n = 34, 68%) or without (n = 16, 32%) EVs. Statistically significant differences were detected between groups in platelet count (PC), liver stiffness measurement (LSM), spleen stiffness measurement (SSM), portal vein diameter (PVD), bipolar spleen diameter (SBD), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), platelet/bipolar spleen diameter ratio (PSR), liver stiffness-spleen size-platelet ratio (LSPS), liver stiffness-spleen stiffness-platelet ratio score (LS3PS), and spleen stiffness-spleen size-platelet ratio score (SSPS) (p < 0.001). The highest diagnostic precision was observed with SSM (96%), SSPS (96%), LS3PS (94%), LSPS (94%), PSR (94%), and PC (92%). SBD (88%), LSM (86%), APRI (82%), and FIB-4 (82%) had the lowest diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: SSM and SSPS have the highest diagnostic accuracy for predicting the presence of EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. LSPS, LS3PS, and PSR come second at 94%. We recommend SSM and SSPS in institutions with transient elastography equipped with the software necessary to measure splenic stiffness. We introduce and propose LS3PS as a novel composite score for predicting the presence of EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Large-sample-size studies are needed to validate these prediction scores and to allow direct comparison with Baveno VII. These prediction tools can help clinicians avoid unnecessary endoscopic procedures in patients with compensated cirrhosis, especially in developing countries with limited resources such as South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Kwape
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shiraaz Gabriel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ahmad Abdelsalem
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Penelope Rose
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lefika Bathobakae
- Internal Medicine St. Joseph's University Medical Center, Paterson, New Jersey, USA
| | - Dale Peterson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Desiree Moodley
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Parker
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Saadiq Moolla
- Division of Pulmonology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arifa Parker
- Unit for Infection Prevention and Control Department of Medicine Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Medicine Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Keatlaretse Siamisang
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Christoffel Van Rensburg
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ernst Fredericks
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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Nakano M, Kuromatsu R, Kawaguchi T. Ultrasonographic Assessment of Tissue Stiffness: Recent Progress in Transient Elastography and Shear Wave Elastography in the Liver and Various Organs. Kurume Med J 2024; 70:1-10. [PMID: 38763738 DOI: 10.2739/kurumemedj.ms7012010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasonography is a noninvasive and widely accessible modality in clinical practice. Recently, ultrasonography has been used to evaluate tissue stiffness; the two representative techniques are transient elastography (FibroScan®) and shear wave elastography. These modalities are now generally used for the assessment of liver fibrosis, the prediction of hepatocarcinogenesis, and determining prognosis. In addition, shear wave elastography is available, not only for the liver but also for various other organs, including the breast and brain. In the breast and brain, shear wave elastography distinguishes malignant lesions from benign ones. Moreover, shear wave elastography can be useful for differentiating between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. This review summarizes the recent progress in transient elastography and shear wave elastography of the liver and introduces the advantages of ultrasonographic assessment of tissue stiffness in various organs, including the breast, brain, kidney, heart, thyroid, pancreas, muscle, and bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Nakano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Ryoko Kuromatsu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine
- Ultrasound Diagnostic Center, Kurume University Hospital
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine
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Patil PV, Jain S. Point Shear Wave Elastography for Splenic Assessment: A Comparative Study of Splenomegaly and Normal Spleens. Cureus 2024; 16:e62869. [PMID: 39040771 PMCID: PMC11262765 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The spleen, a key immunological organ, plays a crucial role in filtering aged or damaged red blood cells. Splenomegaly, an enlargement of the spleen, can arise from a variety of physiological and pathological conditions, including hematological disorders, hepatic diseases, and infections. Accurate diagnosis and evaluation of splenomegaly are essential for effective treatment. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate splenic stiffness in patients with splenomegaly using point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and compare the findings with those of individuals with normal spleen. Materials and methods This hospital-based observational study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India, from October 2022 to December 2023. The study included 56 participants, divided into two groups: 28 patients with splenomegaly and 28 healthy controls. Spleen stiffness was measured using a Samsung HS70A ultrasound machine (Samsung Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Seoul, South Korea), and pSWE was performed with a curvilinear probe. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), and the significance of differences was assessed using an independent t-test with a p-value of <0.05, considered statistically significant. Results The mean spleen stiffness, measured in kilopascals (kPa), was significantly higher in individuals with splenomegaly (32.05 ± 12.54 kPa) compared to controls (22.9 ± 9.49 kPa) (p = 0.003). A positive correlation (rho = 0.482, p < 0.001) was observed between spleen diameter and spleen stiffness. Conclusion This study demonstrates that pSWE is an effective, non-invasive tool for assessing spleen stiffness. The higher spleen stiffness in splenomegaly patients underscores pSWE's diagnostic utility, with a positive correlation between spleen diameter and stiffness. Further multi-center studies are recommended to validate these findings, highlighting pSWE's promise in evaluating and monitoring splenic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parag V Patil
- Radiodiagnosis, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, IND
| | - Saksham Jain
- Radiodiagnosis, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, IND
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Williams EE, Mladenovic A, Ranginani D, Weber R, Samala N, Gawrieh S, Vilar-Gomez E, Chalasani N, Vuppalanchi R. Role of Spleen Stiffness Measurement in the Evaluation of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:1444-1453. [PMID: 38332211 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) correlates with the severity of portal hypertension. AIMS We investigated the utility of SSM in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) for detecting cirrhosis, esophageal varices (EV), and high-risk EV. METHODS 154 study participants with MASLD underwent simultaneous liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and SSM. 96 (62%) participants had an upper endoscopy (73 participants, i.e., 47% undergoing within a year). The diagnostic performance of SSM, as well as the BAVENO VII proposed SSM cutoffs (≥ 21 kPa, > 40 kPa, and > 50 kPa), was examined. RESULTS The failure rate for SSM was 19% compared to 5% for LSM. An invalid SSM was statistically significantly associated with a higher body mass index, a larger waist circumference, and a lower fibrosis stage. The area under the receiver operating characteristics for SSM to diagnose cirrhosis, EV, and high-risk EV was 0.78 (95% CI 0.70-0.85), 0.74 (95% CI 0.61-0.84), and 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.98), respectively. SSM ≥ 21 kPa cutoff had a sensitivity > 96% for all three outcomes, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88% for cirrhosis. In contrast, SSM > 40 kPa and SSM > 50 kPa cutoffs had better diagnostic abilities for identifying EV, particularly high-risk EV (sensitivity of 100% and 93% with NPV of 100% and 96%, respectively). CONCLUSION SSM has a higher failure rate in individuals who are non-cirrhotic or have a higher BMI, or larger waist circumference. Although useful for diagnosing NASH cirrhosis, SSM is most reliable in excluding EV and high-risk EV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Williams
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Andrea Mladenovic
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Dheeksha Ranginani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Regina Weber
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Niharika Samala
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Samer Gawrieh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Eduardo Vilar-Gomez
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Naga Chalasani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Raj Vuppalanchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Behari J. Spleen Stiffness Measurement in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-Value Added or Work in Progress? Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:1093-1095. [PMID: 38332210 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08270-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaideep Behari
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Kaufmann Medical Building Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Program, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA.
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10
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Gaspar R, Cardoso P, Ribeiro T, Silva M, Macedo G. Does Portal Hypertension Increase the Risk of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Pre-Malignant Gastric Lesions? J Clin Med 2024; 13:1768. [PMID: 38541992 PMCID: PMC10971292 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13061768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2025] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: The presence of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients is a major prognostic factor associated with the development of severe complications and increased mortality. The gold standard for diagnosing portal hypertension is the hepatic venous pressure gradient. More recently, spleen stiffness has emerged as a new and non-invasive diagnostic tool, and has already been included in the last Baveno VII guidelines. The exact prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, pre-malignant lesions and their relation to portal hypertension have never been described. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of portal hypertension assessed via liver and spleen elastography and Helicobacter pylori infection and pre-malignant gastric lesions. Methods: An observational study was conducted, including consecutive patients admitted from December 2020 to December 2022. All patients underwent upper endoscopy and were also subjected to liver and spleen elastography (using the new probe of 100 Hz) by the same blinded operator in a tertiary center. Results: We included 155 cirrhotic patients, with a mean age of 64.1 years (±8.8), and 81.3% were male. The most common etiology was alcoholic liver disease (72.9%). The median value of liver stiffness measurement was 24.4 kPa [3.1-75.0], and the spleen stiffness measurement was 49.1 kPa [12.8-100.0]. Akin to endoscopic findings, 50.3% presented esophageal varices, 5.2% gastric atrophy, 11.6% gastric metaplasia, and 32.9% portal hypertension gastropathy. Regarding histologic findings, we found that 34.8% presented H. pylori infection, 35.5% gastric atrophy (OLGA 1-58.2%) and 38.7% gastric metaplasia (OLGIM 1-63.3%). Liver stiffness and spleen stiffness measurements were associated with the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy (p < 0.01), but not with H. pylori infection or pre-malignant gastric lesions. Conclusions: Although present in almost one third of cirrhotic patients, H. pylori infection and pre-malignant gastric lesions are not associated with liver stiffness and spleen stiffness measurements. On the other hand, we found an association between liver stiffness and spleen stiffness measurements and portal hypertensive gastropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gaspar
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto 4200, Portugal (T.R.); (M.S.); (G.M.)
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11
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Arya S, Dixit R, Harish C S, Prakash A, Puri AS. Our experience with liver and spleen elastography in the prediction of oesophageal varices. SA J Radiol 2024; 28:2724. [PMID: 38323244 PMCID: PMC10839201 DOI: 10.4102/sajr.v28i1.2724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Variceal bleeding is an important cause of mortality in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The gold standard for detection and grading of oesophageal varices (EV) is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, it is expensive, time-consuming and invasive. Objectives This study aimed to find any association between splenic shear wave velocity (SWV) measured by acoustic radiation force imaging (ARFI) and the presence of EV. Method The quasi-experimental study included 50 patients with CLD and 50 subjects without CLD as the control group. Both underwent upper abdominal ultrasonography followed by elastographic assessment on a Siemens Acuson S2000TM ultrasound system. A comparison of the findings was made between the control and patient groups. Results Both groups had similar hepatic size while patients with CLD had larger splenic size and area (p < 0.05). The CLD patients had higher mean hepatic and splenic SWV compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The mean splenic size and splenic SWV were higher in patients with varices than in those without varices (p < 0.05). Conclusion Chronic liver disease causes significant increase in liver and splenic stiffness with splenic SWV values being higher for patients with varices emphasising the role of elastography as a non-invasive predictor for the presence of EVs. Splenic SWV had the highest sensitivity and specificity, which was augmented by a combination of hepatic and splenic SWV. Thus, splenic SWV alone or in combination with hepatic SWV is a useful technique for prediction of the presence of EVs. Contribution This study aims to find an alternative non-invasive and cost-effective technique for screening of EV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Arya
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rashmi Dixit
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sneha Harish C
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Prakash
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Amarender S. Puri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Campreciós G, Bartrolí B, Montironi C, Belmonte E, García-Pagán JC, Hernández-Gea V. Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder. SINUSOIDAL CELLS IN LIVER DISEASES 2024:445-464. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-95262-0.00022-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2025]
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13
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Gaspar R, Silva M, Cardoso P, Goncalves R, Andrade P, Macedo G. Spleen stiffness: a new tool to predict high-risk varices in cirrhotic patients. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 38:1840-1846. [PMID: 37655720 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cirrhosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Portal hypertension is the major contributor of cirrhosis-related complications and is defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) > 5 mmHg. Measurement of HVPG is an invasive, difficult, and costly procedure. Therefore, it is only performed in specialized centers. Liver stiffness measured with transient elastography is one of the most studied noninvasive markers of portal hypertension, and spleen elastography has recently emerged as an important adjuvant tool. The development of a new probe (100 Hz) that more reliably reflect the grade of portal hypertension evaluated by spleen stiffness measurement has improved the accuracy of this technique. The aim of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of spleen stiffness with the new dedicated probe to predict the presence of high-risk varices, as well as to determine the ideal cutoff to predict it. METHODS Prospective study of cirrhotic patients admitted to upper endoscopy that were also submitted to liver and spleen elastography with the 100-Hz probe by the same blinded operator in a tertiary center. RESULTS We included 209 cirrhotic patients, with mean age of 61.9 years (±9.9), 77.0% male. The most common etiology was alcoholic liver disease (72.7%). The median value of liver elastography was 25.3 [4.5-75] kPa, and the median value of spleen elastography was 42.4 [7.6-100] kPa. At the cutoff of 53.25 kPa, we obtained sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 72.6% to predict high-risk varices, and, according to this cutoff, 133/175 of esophagogastroduodenoscopy could have been spared (76.0%), while according to Baveno guidelines, only 51/175 would have been spared (29.1%). CONCLUSION In the era of noninvasive exams, spleen elastography with the 100-Hz probe emerges as an excellent tool for prediction of presence of high-risk varices. At the cutoff of 53.25 kPa, spleen elastography avoids upper endoscopy for screening for high-risk varices, promising to be become part of the hepatologists' daily routine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gaspar
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco Silva
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Goncalves
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Andrade
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Guilherme Macedo
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Panezai MQ, Taha Yaseen R, Lail G, Ali Khalid M, Ismail H, Majid Z, Kumar D, Shahzad S, Laeeq SM, Hassan Luck N. Correlation of Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD-Sodium (MELD-Na), and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) Score With Frailty in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Related Cirrhosis. Cureus 2023; 15:e40574. [PMID: 37465808 PMCID: PMC10351912 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The model for end stage liver disease (MELD), model for end stage liver disease-sodium (MELD Na), and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score are independent predictors of mortality in cirrhotic patients. Approximately 43% of cirrhotic patients with advanced disease are frail and can have detrimental effects on the disease prognosis and survival including delisting from the transplant list and increased risk of post-transplant complications. Therefore, our aim was to determine the correlation of MELD, MELD-Na, and CTP score with frailty in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) related cirrhosis. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation from 1st January 2022 to 30th June 2022. All the patients of either gender aged between 18 and 70 years with serological evidence of HCV and features of cirrhosis on ultrasound abdomen were included in the study. Patients with conditions over estimating frailty were excluded from the study. Liver Frailty Index (LFI) was calculated using grip strength measured in kilograms, timed chair stands, and balance testing. CTP and MELD-Na scores for each patient were also recorded. All the data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The correlation of MELD, MELD-Na, and CTP with LFI was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 274 patients were included in the study. Out of them, 185 (67.5%) were males. The mean CTP score was 8.1 + 2.1, MELD score of 13.6 + 7.1, MELD-Na score of 15 + 6.6, and LFI of 4.1 + 0.83. LFI was found to be weakly correlated with MELD (r = 0.278) (p < 0.001), MELD-Na score (r = 0.41) (p < 0.001), and CTP score (r = 0.325) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Weak correlation was noted between LFI, CTP, MELD, and MELD-Na scores in HCV-associated chronic liver disease. Therefore, frailty along with MELD, MELD-Na, and CTP must be assessed before considering the patients for liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raja Taha Yaseen
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Ghulamullah Lail
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Muhammad Ali Khalid
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Hina Ismail
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Zain Majid
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Danish Kumar
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Saleem Shahzad
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Syed Mudassir Laeeq
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
| | - Nasir Hassan Luck
- Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, PAK
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15
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Lantinga MA, van Kleef LA, den Hoed CM, De Knegt RJ. Spleen Stiffness Measurement Across the Spectrum of Liver Disease Patients in Real-World Practice. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:414-427. [PMID: 37250876 PMCID: PMC10213849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) provides a non-invasive surrogate marker for clinical significant portal hypertension (CSPH). Results obtained in highly selected populations were promising but require validation across the spectrum of liver disease. We aimed to investigate the clinical applicability of SSM in a real-world setting. Methods We prospectively enrolled patients referred for liver ultrasound (January-May 2021). Patients with a portosystemic shunt, liver transplant, or extrahepatic etiology of portal hypertension were excluded. We performed liver ultrasound, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and SSM (dedicated software, 100 Hz-probe). Probable CSPH was established if ≥1 of the following items occurred: ascites, varices, encephalopathy, splenomegaly, recanalized umbilical vein, collaterals, dilated portal veins, hypertensive gastropathy, or LSM ≥25 kPa. Results We enrolled 185 patients (53% male; age 53years [37-64], 33% viral hepatitis, 21% fatty liver disease). Of them, 31% of patients had cirrhosis (68% Child-Pugh A) and 38% of patients had signs of portal hypertension. SSM (23.8 kPa [16.2-42.3]) and LSM (6.7 kPa [4.6-12.0]) were successful and met reliability criteria in 70% and 95%, respectively. Spleen size was inversely associated with SSM failure (odds ratio: 0.66 increment/cm, 95% confidence interval: 0.52-0.82). Optimal spleen stiffness cut-off to detect probable CSPH was >26.5 kPa (likelihood ratio: 4.5, sensitivity: 83%; specificity: 82%). Spleen stiffness did not outperform liver stiffness in detecting probable CSPH (P = 1.0). Conclusions In real-world practice, reliable SSM were obtained in 70% and could potentially stratify patients between high- and low-risk of probable CSPH. However, cut-offs for CSPH might be substantially lower than previously reported. Future studies validating these results are required. Clinical trial number Netherlands Trial Register (Registration number: NL9369).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marten A. Lantinga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, University Medical Centers Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laurens A. van Kleef
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline M. den Hoed
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert J. De Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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16
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Llop E, Calleja JL. Spleen Stiffness: The "New Kid on the Block" in the Diagnosis of Clinical Significant Portal Hypertension. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:385-386. [PMID: 37250878 PMCID: PMC10213832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elba Llop
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Spain
- Instituto de investigación sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Spain
- CIBERHD, Spain
| | - José L. Calleja
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Spain
- Instituto de investigación sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Spain
- CIBERHD, Spain
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17
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Zhang X, Wang H, Xie X, Song J, Zhang Y, Zhou D, Wu Q, Tai J, Huang J, Cheng X, Li J, Gu Y, Chen J. Outstanding feasibility of spleen stiffness measurement by 100-Hz vibration-controlled transient elastography. JGH Open 2023; 7:387-392. [PMID: 37265926 PMCID: PMC10230108 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This novel spleen-dedicated FibroScan has high success rate and is easy to operate. The spleen stiffness is correlated with liver stiffness, which reflects the liver fibrosis stage. However, whether SSM is able to reflect the severity of liver disease warrants further observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Zhang
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Haiyu Wang
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xinpeng Xie
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Equipment information, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiankang Song
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuanjian Zhang
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Damei Zhou
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qiaoping Wu
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiaoyu Tai
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jing Huang
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiao Cheng
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Junying Li
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yixiu Gu
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jinjun Chen
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Hepatology, Zengcheng Branch, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Brown CP, Hughes MDG, Mahmoudi N, Brockwell DJ, Coletta PL, Peyman S, Evans SD, Dougan L. Structural and mechanical properties of folded protein hydrogels with embedded microbubbles. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:2726-2737. [PMID: 36815670 PMCID: PMC10088474 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01918c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Globular folded proteins are powerful building blocks to create biomaterials with mechanical robustness and inherent biological functionality. Here we explore their potential as advanced drug delivery scaffolds, by embedding microbubbles (MBs) within a photo-activated, chemically cross-linked bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein network. Using a combination of circular dichroism (CD), rheology, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and microscopy we determine the nanoscale and mesoscale structure and mechanics of this novel multi-composite system. Optical and confocal microscopy confirms the presence of MBs within the protein hydrogel, their reduced diffusion and their effective rupture using ultrasound, a requirement for burst drug release. CD confirms that the inclusion of MBs does not impact the proportion of folded proteins within the cross-linked protein network. Rheological characterisation demonstrates that the mechanics of the BSA hydrogels is reduced in the presence of MBs. Furthermore, SANS reveals that embedding MBs in the protein hydrogel network results in a smaller number of clusters that are larger in size (∼16.6% reduction in number of clusters, 17.4% increase in cluster size). Taken together, we show that MBs can be successfully embedded within a folded protein network and ruptured upon application of ultrasound. The fundamental insight into the impact of embedded MBs in protein scaffolds at the nanoscale and mesoscale is important in the development of future platforms for targeted and controlled drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christa P Brown
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Matt D G Hughes
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Spallation Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - David J Brockwell
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, UK
| | - P Louise Coletta
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Sally Peyman
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Stephen D Evans
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Karagiannakis DS, Stefanaki K. Spleen stiffness: a predictive factor of dismal prognosis in liver cirrhosis. Clin J Gastroenterol 2023; 16:121-129. [PMID: 36592292 PMCID: PMC10063465 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-022-01752-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PH) is a major complication of liver cirrhosis, as it predisposes to the development of serious clinical manifestations such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and variceal bleeding, aggravating the prognosis of patients. Hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) is considered the reference method for the estimation of the presence and severity of PH, but this procedure is available only in specialized centers. Alternatively, many non-invasive methods have been proposed in order to substitute HVPG. Among them, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) has been widely used, as it has been shown to correlate well with HVPG, though this relationship seems to weaken in values of HVPG higher than 12 mmHg, the threshold of serious complications development. Several studies supported the use of spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) instead of LSM, anticipating to a more adequate assessment of this advanced stage of PH. The aim of this paper is to critically appraise and summarize the literature about the role of SSM as a predictive tool of liver decompensation and prognosis, highlighting the strengths and the potential limitations of the studies published so far. EXPERT'S OPINION: The utility of SSM in ruling out high risk for bleeding varices in cirrhotic patients has been demonstrated, driving the Baveno VII consensus to encompass SSM in its last recommendations, though its use in patients with non-viral cirrhosis remains to be validated. We believe that in the near future, SSM alone or combined with other tests, will being used not only for sparing upper endoscopies, but also for predicting decompensation and prognosis in advanced compensated cirrhotic patients, regardless of liver disease's etiology. Herein, we present the data that support this consideration, pointing out these issues that should further be investigated in order to elucidate and intensify the value of SSM in the management of patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios S Karagiannakis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Laiko" General Hospital, 17 Agiou Thoma Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.
| | - Katerina Stefanaki
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Alexandra" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Odriozola A, Puente Á, Cuadrado A, Iruzubieta P, Arias-Loste MT, Redondo C, Rivas C, Fábrega E, Crespo J, Fortea JI. High accuracy of spleen stiffness measurement in diagnosing clinically significant portal hypertension in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. Liver Int 2023. [PMID: 36912787 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) has been tested in a limited number of studies versus hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), especially with the 100 Hz spleen-specific module. The current study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of this novel module for detecting clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in a cohort of compensated patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) as the main aetiology and to improve the performance of the Baveno VII criteria for CSPH diagnosis by including SSM. METHODS This is a retrospective single-centre study including patients with available measurements of HVPG, Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and SSM by VCTE with the 100 Hz module. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis was conducted to identify dual cut-offs (rule-out and rule-in) associated with the absence/presence of CSPH. The diagnostic algorithms were adequate if negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive values (PPV) were >90%. RESULTS A total of 85 patients were included, 60 MAFLD and 25 non-MAFLD. SSM showed a good correlation with HVPG (MAFLD: r = .74; p < .0001; non-MAFLD: r = .62; p < .0011). In MAFLD patients, SSM had a high accuracy in discarding/diagnosing CSPH (cut-off values of <40.9 and >49.9 kPa, AUC 0.95). The addition of these cut-offs in a sequential or combined approach to the Baveno VII criteria significantly reduced the grey zone (60% vs. 15%-20%), while maintaining adequate NPV and PPV. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the utility of SSM for diagnosing CSPH in MAFLD patients and demonstrate that the addition of SSM to the Baveno VII criteria increases accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Odriozola
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - Ángela Puente
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - Paula Iruzubieta
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - María T Arias-Loste
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - Carlos Redondo
- Statistical and Bioinformatic Unit, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Coral Rivas
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - Emilio Fábrega
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - Javier Crespo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - José I Fortea
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
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Splenic Stiffness Is the Best Predictor of Clinically Significant Varices in Children With Portal Hypertension. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023; 76:364-370. [PMID: 36730002 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We studied splenic stiffness measurement (SSM) by transient elastography (TE) and portal hemodynamics parameters (PHDp) on Doppler as predictors of clinically significant varices (CSV) in children. METHODS All children of 6 months to 18 years of age with portal hypertension (PHT) (chronic liver disease, CLD and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, NCPH) were enrolled. TE for spleen (SSM) and liver (liver stiffness measurement, LSM) and PHDp by Doppler ultrasonography were measured. Noninvasive indices for PHT were calculated. CSV were defined as esophageal varices ≥grade 2 and/or gastric varix. Binary logistic regression analysis (LRA) and receiver operating characteristic statistics were applied. RESULTS A total of 150 (120 CLD and 30 NCPH) children formed the study cohort. Prevalence of CSV was higher in NCPH than CLD [73.3% vs 53.3%, Odd's ratio (OR) 2.369, P = 0.04]. On LRA, SSM was found to be the only independent predictor of CSV in children with CLD [OR 1.19 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.018-1.16), P = 0.000] as well as in NCPH [OR 1.088 (95% CI 1.018-1.16), P = 0.013]. This model improved prediction of CSV in CLD from 52.5% to 83.9% and in NCPH from 73.3% to 86.7%. In children with CLD, SSM at a cut-off ≥27.6 kPa and in NCPH, SSM at a cut-off ≥29.5 kPa predicted CSV. In children with CLD, SSM correlated with LSM ( R = 0.610, P <0.001) and with noninvasive PHT indices except aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index. CONCLUSION SSM is the best noninvasive predictor of CSV in childhood CLD and NCPH and can be used as screening test for endoscopy in children with PHT.
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Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia Is Not a Rare Condition After Liver Transplantation: Incidence, Predictive Factors, and Impact on Survival. Transplantation 2023; 107:410-419. [PMID: 36117256 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to evaluate incidence and to identify the risk factors of occurrence and the predictive factors of symptomatic forms of nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS To identify risk factors of NRH following LT, we included 1648 patients transplanted from 2004 to 2018 and compared the patients developing NRH after LT to those who did not. To identify predictive factors of symptomatic NRH, we selected 115 biopsies displaying NRH and compared symptomatic to asymptomatic forms. Symptomatic NRH was defined as the presence of ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, portal thrombosis, retransplantation, or death related to NRH. RESULTS The incidence of NRH following LT was 5.1%. In multivariate analysis, the independent factor of developing NRH after LT was the donor's age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02; confidence interval, 1.01-1.03; P = 0.02). Symptomatic forms occurred in 29 (25.2%) patients: 19 (16.5%) patients presented with ascites, 13 (11.3%) with esophageal varices, 4 (3.5%) with hepatic encephalopathy, and 8 (7%) with portal thrombosis. The median period before the onset of symptoms was 8.4 (1.5-11.3) y after LT. The spleen size at diagnosis/before LT ratio (OR = 12.5; 114.17-1.37; P = 0.0252) and thrombectomy during transplantation (OR = 11.17; 1.48-84.11; P = 0.0192) were associated with symptomatic NRH in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS NRH following LT is frequent (5.1%) and leads to symptomatic portal hypertension in 25.2% of patients. Using older grafts increases the risk of developing NRH after LT. Clinicians should screen for signs of portal hypertension, particularly in measuring spleen size.
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Ferreira-Silva J, Gaspar R, Liberal R, Cardoso H, Macedo G. Splenic-hepatic elastography index is useful in differentiating between porto-sinusoidal vascular disease and cirrhosis in patients with portal hypertension. Dig Liver Dis 2023; 55:75-80. [PMID: 36280435 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In patients with portal hypertension (PH), the differential diagnosis between porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) and cirrhosis is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the SSM/LSM index in the diagnosis of PSVD. METHODS Prospective study of patients with PH and PSVD or cirrhosis. Transient liver and spleen elastography were performed and the ratio between spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was calculated. The relation of SSM/LSM with the diagnosis of PSVD was evaluated. RESULTS Forty-four patients with PSVD and 44 patients with cirrhosis were evaluated. Median age was 57.5 (IQR 49.0-64.5) years, 66.3% were males. In patients with PSVD, median SSM was 59.4 (33.5-77.7) kPa, median LSM was 6.2 (5.2-10.2) kPa and median SSM/LSM was 5.62 (3.15-9.68). In patients with cirrhosis, median SSM was 47.3 (24.3-60.3) kPa, median LSM was 27.8 (17.7-53.9) kPa and median SSM/LSM was 1.55 (1.06-3.24). The SSM/LSM AUROC was 0.940 (p<0.001). Using 2 as a cut-off, we obtained good sensitivity (86.5%), specificity (92.7%), and accuracy (89.7%) for the diagnosis of PSVD. CONCLUSION The SSM/LSM index is useful in the differential diagnosis between liver cirrhosis and PSVD. Using the cut-off of 2 we achieved a good sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PSVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Ferreira-Silva
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rui Gaspar
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Liberal
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hélder Cardoso
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Guilherme Macedo
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro 4200 - 319 Porto, Portugal
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Berzigotti A. Bedside spleen stiffness measurement can be reliably performed in most cases: High applicability and reproducibility using a specific 100-Hz module on vibration-controlled transient elastography. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:3001-3002. [PMID: 36281032 PMCID: PMC9592777 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and MedicineInselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of BernBernSwitzerland
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25
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Chen Y, Ding JL, Babaiasl M, Yang F, Swensen JP. Characterization and modeling of a thermoplastic elastomer tissue simulant under uniaxial compression loading for a wide range of strain rates. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 131:105218. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Llop E, Perelló C, Fontanilla T, de la Revilla J, Conde MH, López M, Minaya J, Ferre C, Abad J, Carrillo CF, Martínez JL, Puga NF, Trapero M, Hajra IE, Santos E, Calleja JL. Spleen Transient Elastography and Damping Index Identify a Subgroup of Patients Without an Acute or Chronic Response to Beta-Blockers. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:900073. [PMID: 35814751 PMCID: PMC9258685 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.900073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Monitoring of acute or chronic response to beta-blockers in patients with liver cirrhosis is based on the measurement of the HVPG. Our aim was to evaluate the response to beta-blockers with non-invasive techniques. Patients and Methods This is a prospective observational study. Consecutive patients with an indication of primary or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding who did not meet exclusion criteria were included. Acute response and chronic response were evaluated. Baseline and after acute and chronic response hepatosplenic measurements of TE and ARFI were obtained. Contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound was performed before and after acute and chronic responses. Results From June 2015 to May 2018, 55 patients (14 with exclusion criteria) were included. We analyzed 41 patients, mean age 57 (SD: 8), 82.9% men, alcohol 43.9%, children A/B/C 78%/17.1%/4.9%, and 87.8% on primary prophylaxis. In all, the acute response was performed and was positive in 68.3% (CI 95: 55-85%). The chronic response was performed in 30 (73.2%) and was positive in 36.7% (CI 95: 18-55%). Basal measurements significantly related to acute response were spleen TE [responders 58.4 (SD: 23.0) KPa vs. non-responders 75 (SD: 0) KPa; p = 0.02] and damping index [non-responders 0.96 (0.8) vs. responders 0.44 (0.4), p = 0.01], and with chronic response, the spleen TE [responders 58.1 (SD: 21.4) KPa vs. non-responders 73.2 (SD: 5.5) KPa; p = 0.02], and damping index [non-chronic responders 0.8 (0.7) vs. chronic responders 0.4 (0.4), p = 0.04]. A spleen TE ≥ 74 KPa had a high sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 60% and a high NPV100% for predicting poor acute response to beta-blockers. The damping index > 0.6 showed moderate sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 69% with a high NPV of 82% for predicting poor acute response to beta-blockers. The combination of both measurements for predicting poor acute response to beta-blockers had an AUC of 0.8 (CI 95: 0.5-0.9). A spleen TE ≥ 74 KPa had a high sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 71% with a high NPV of 71% for predicting poor chronic response to beta-blockers. A damping index > 0.6 had moderate sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 82%, and NPV of 56% for predicting poor chronic response to beta-blockers. The combination of both measurements for predicting poor chronic response to beta-blockers had an AUC of 0.8 (CI 95: 0.7-0.9). Conclusion Spleen TE and damping index can identify a subgroup of patients with poor acute or chronic response to beta-blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elba Llop
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christie Perelló
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Fontanilla
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan de la Revilla
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández Conde
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta López
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Minaya
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Ferre
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Abad
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Fernández Carrillo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luís Martínez
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Fernández Puga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Trapero
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ismael El Hajra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Santos
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Calleja
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta Hierro-Segovia Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERHD, Madrid, Spain
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Song J, Li J, Luo Y, Lu Q. Can Location of Stiffness Measurement Impact Spleen 2-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography Measurement? Ultrasound Q 2022; 38:155-159. [PMID: 35348535 PMCID: PMC9172890 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound-based spleen elastography is a promising surrogate to predict portal hypertension noninvasively. In contrast to defined standards for liver stiffness measurement, the standardized examination procedures for 2-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography spleen elastography have not been established yet. The aim was to investigate the impact of location of stiffness measurement on 2D shear wave elastography spleen stiffness measurement (SSM). Patients with splenomegaly were enrolled. Both B-mode ultrasound and elastography of spleen were performed. For SSM, 3 regions were chosen for spleen measurement: lower pole region, central region, and the region between lower pole and center. Mean SSM value, success rate, and reliability predicators (standard deviation, standard deviation/mean, size of region of interest) were assessed. A total of 124 patients were included. For mean SSM value, there were no significant differences among 3 regions. Spleen stiffness measurement success rate in lower pole region, central region, and the region between them was 63.7% (79), 91.1% (113), and 78.2% (97), respectively. The success rate in the central region was significantly higher than that in the other 2 regions (P < 0.05). Reliability in the central region was also highest among the 3 regions. Location of stiffness measurement has a limited effect on SSM. Changing location of measurement will not influence mean stiffness value in spleen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhen Song
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiawu Li
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Lu
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Comparison between spleen and liver stiffness measurements by sound touch elastography for diagnosing cirrhosis at different aminotransferase levels: a prospective multicenter study. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:4980-4990. [PMID: 35229196 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08569-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the performance of spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by sound touch elastography (STE) for the diagnosis of cirrhosis at different alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and to compare the applicability and repeatability of SSM with LSM performed by STE, a new two-dimensional shear wave elastography technology. METHODS This prospective multicenter study included 25 centers and recruited chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with liver biopsy between May 2018 and November 2019. All patients underwent LSM and SSM by STE. Success and reliability rates were calculated and compared. Intra-observer agreement was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Differences between areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of LSMs and SSMs at different ALT levels were compared using the Delong test. RESULTS Among 603 CHB patients, the success and reliability rates of SSM were 94.53% (570/603) and 85.74% (517/603), respectively, which were similar to those of LSM (p > 0.05), respectively. The ICC for intra-observer agreements of SSM was 0.964 (p < 0.001). In the total cohort, ALT ≤ 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN) group, and A0-1 group, the AUCs of SSMs were significantly lower than those of LSMs for the diagnosis of cirrhosis (p < 0.001). In the ALT > 2 × ULN group and A2-3 group, the AUC of SSM improved and was not significantly different from that of LSM (p = 0.342, p = 0.510, respectively). CONCLUSIONS SSM by STE achieved applicability and repeatability equivalent to those of LSM. SSM might be a good substitute to LSM in patients with high ALT levels. KEY POINTS • Spleen stiffness measurement performed by sound touch elastography was proven to have similar applicability and repeatability to liver stiffness measurement in this prospective multicenter study. • Spleen stiffness measurement demonstrated a poorer diagnostic performance for cirrhosis compared with liver stiffness measurement in the total cohort and low ALT level group, yet it showed a similar diagnostic performance to liver stiffness measurement in patients with high ALT levels.
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Ferreira-Silva J, Gaspar R, Liberal R, Cardoso H, Macedo G. Transient splenic elastography predicts high-risk esophageal varices in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Scand J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:1462-1466. [PMID: 34428123 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2021.1968485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) comprise a group of diseases that cause portal hypertension without cirrhosis, leading to a high risk of hemorrhage from esophageal varices. There are no non-invasive predictors of high-risk varices (HRV) described in the literature for NCPH. This study aimed to evaluate whether transient splenic elastography (TSE) can predict HRV in patients with NCPH. METHODS Prospective study of patients with NCPH who underwent a single timepoint evaluation with transient liver and spleen elastography, ultrasonography, upper endoscopy, and laboratory tests. The study was performed from January to September 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of HRV. The relation between TSE, transient liver elastography (TLE), spleen size, and platelet count to the presence of HRV was evaluated. RESULTS Of 42 patients with NCPH, 50% (21/42) presented HRV. In univariate analysis, TSE (median, 58.4 vs. 28.3, p = 0.009) and spleen size (median, 17.5 vs. 14.5 cm, p = 0.013) were associated with HRV. No statistically significant relationship was found between the presence of HRV and platelet count or TLE. In multivariate analysis, TSE was the only variable related to HRV (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.38). TSE had a good performance in predicting HRV in our population (AUROC 0.878; 95% CI 0.751-1000). TSE > 35.4 kPa presents 93.3% sensitivity, 60.0% specificity, and 90.9% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION In our population of patients with NCPH, TSE is useful in predicting HRV. TLE, spleen size, and platelet count were not related to HRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Ferreira-Silva
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Gaspar
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Liberal
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hélder Cardoso
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Guilherme Macedo
- Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Cerrito L, Ainora ME, Nicoletti A, Garcovich M, Riccardi L, Pompili M, Gasbarrini A, Zocco MA. Elastography as a predictor of liver cirrhosis complications after hepatitis C virus eradication in the era of direct-acting antivirals. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:1663-1676. [PMID: 34904036 PMCID: PMC8637667 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i11.1663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to liver fibrosis and rearrangement of liver tissue, which is responsible for the development of portal hypertension (PH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The advent of direct-acting antiviral drugs has revolutionized the natural history of HCV infection, providing an overall eradication rate of over 90%. Despite a significant decrease after sustained virological response (SVR), the rate of HCC and liver-related complications is not completely eliminated in patients with advanced liver disease. Although the reasons are still unclear, cirrhosis itself has a residual risk for the development of HCC and other PH-related complications. Ultrasound elastography is a recently developed non-invasive technique for the assessment of liver fibrosis. Following the achievement of SVR, liver stiffness (LS) usually decreases, as a consequence of reduced inflammation and, possibly, fibrosis. Recent studies emphasized the application of LS assessment in the management of patients with SVR in order to define the risk for developing the complications of chronic liver disease (functional decompensation, gastrointestinal bleeding, HCC) and to optimize long-term prognostic outcomes in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cerrito
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Ainora
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Alberto Nicoletti
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Matteo Garcovich
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Laura Riccardi
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Zocco
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), Rome 00168,
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31
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Hirooka M, Tanaka T, Koizumi Y, Yukimoto A, Watanabe T, Yoshida O, Tokumoto Y, Abe M, Hiasa Y. Accurate reflection of hepatic venous pressure gradient by spleen stiffness measurement in patients with low controlled attenuation parameter values. JGH Open 2021; 5:1172-1178. [PMID: 34622004 PMCID: PMC8485403 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) is useful for assessing portal hypertension. It is unclear whether SSM values are appropriate because vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) does not generate B‐mode images. This study aimed to confirm whether the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measured in the spleen can predict the accuracy of SSM. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 349 patients who underwent SSM using VCTE from January 2012 to December 2020. Consecutive patients were classified into the pilot set (SSM and hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] were measured) and the validation set (SSM was measured without HVPG). In the pilot set, scatter plots with a nonparametric contour line were created. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict outliers outside the 50% contour line. Results The values of CAP could distinguish the outliers in scatter plots between the HPVG and SSM in both univariate and multivariate analyses (cutoff, 118 dB/m). The correlation of SSM with HVPG (r = 0.718; P < 0.001) was significantly better in the low CAP (≤118 dB/m) group than in the high CAP (>118 dB/m) group (r = 0.330; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of SSM in predicting high‐risk varices was better in the low CAP group than in all patients or in the high CAP group in the pilot set (0.881, 0.854, and 0.843, respectively) and in the validation set (0.893, 0.821, and 0.814, respectively). Conclusion For patients with CAP <118 dB/m, SSM is a feasible predictor of HVPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Yohei Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Atsushi Yukimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Takao Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Yoshio Tokumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Masanori Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabiology Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine Toon Japan
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32
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Furuichi Y, Sugimoto K, Oshiro H, Abe M, Takeuchi H, Yoshimasu Y, Itoi T. Elucidation of spleen elasticity and viscosity in a carbon tetrachloride rat model of liver cirrhosis using a new ultrasound elastography. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2021; 48:431-437. [PMID: 34185192 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-021-01110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Measurement of spleen stiffness (SS) using ultrasound (US) elastography is useful for predicting portal hypertension. However, the mechanism leading to increased SS remains unclear. We jointly developed a new US elastography system (Aplio i-series, Canon Medical Systems) that can easily measure organ viscosity (dispersion slope: DS). We analyzed the cause of increased SS by calculating the shear wave speed (SWs, which reflects fibrosis) and DS of the spleen in carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) rat liver cirrhosis models. METHODS A total of 13 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (C group: 3 rats as control, 2D group: 3 rats injected with CCL4 twice in 1 week, 4D group: 4 rats injected 4 times in 1 week, 6W group: 3 rats injected twice a week for 6 weeks). The SWs and the DS of each group were calculated, and histopathological analysis was performed. RESULTS The spleen SWs of the 6W group was significantly higher than that of the C group (p = 0.044). The spleen DS did not change after CCL4. The liver SWs of the 4D and 6W groups was significantly higher than that of the C group (p = 0.012 and 0.007, respectively) with fibrosis change on histopathology, and the DS of the 4D group was significantly higher than that of the C group (p = 0.033). Splenic fibrosis was confirmed in the 6W group, but inflammation and necrosis were not seen. CONCLUSION SS increased due to fibrosis and can be predicted based on SWs and DS values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Furuichi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Niiza Shiki Central General Hospital, Saitama, Japan.
| | - Katsutoshi Sugimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Hisashi Oshiro
- Department of Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masakazu Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Hirohito Takeuchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Yuu Yoshimasu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Takao Itoi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
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Vuille-Lessard É, Rodrigues SG, Berzigotti A. Noninvasive Detection of Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease. Clin Liver Dis 2021; 25:253-289. [PMID: 33838850 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease have different prognoses depending on the presence of portal hypertension. Current non-invasive diagnostic methods allow identification of clinically significant portal hypertension. Portosystemic collaterals on imaging or liver stiffness of more than 20 to 25 kPa by using transient elastography identifies patients with clinically significant portal hypertension. Patients with liver stiffness of less than 20 kPa and platelet count of greater than 150 g/L can avoid endoscopy. This rule could be expanded using spleen stiffness. Methods to risk stratify for portal hypertension in compensated advanced chronic liver disease and successfully treated chronic hepatitis C and B are subject of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élise Vuille-Lessard
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susana G Rodrigues
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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34
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Pereira CLD, Santos JC, Arruda RM, Rodrigues ML, Siqueira ES, Lemos RS, Batista AD, Domingues ALC, Lopes EP. Evaluation of Schistosomiasis Mansoni Morbidity by Hepatic and Splenic Elastography. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:1235-1243. [PMID: 33618959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In patients with Mansoni schistosomiasis, it is fundamental to evaluate the disease morbidity, which is reflected by the severity of periportal fibrosis (PPF) and parameters of portal hypertension, as analyzed by ultrasonography (US). This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity of schistosomiasis by hepatic and splenic point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) and relate this to US parameters. The PPF pattern, the diameter of the portal and splenic veins and the size of the spleen were evaluated by US. Then, liver and spleen pSWEs were assessed in 74 patients using the same equipment. As the PPF pattern progressed, the splenic pSWE values significantly increased. Significant correlations between splenic pSWE, the longitudinal and transverse lengths of the spleen and the diameters of the portal and splenic veins were observed. These findings, however, were not observed through hepatic pSWE. In conclusion, the splenic pSWE has the potential for assessing morbidity in schistosomiasis mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Louise Diniz Pereira
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
| | - Joelma Carvalho Santos
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Milena Lima Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Souza Lemos
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Lúcia Coutinho Domingues
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil; Gastroenterology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Edmundo Pessoa Lopes
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Center of Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil; Gastroenterology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, UFPE, Recife, Brazil.
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35
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Fofiu R, Bende F, Popescu A, Șirli R, Miuţescu B, Sporea I. Assessing Baveno VI Criteria Using Liver Stiffness Measured with a 2D-Shear Wave Elastography Technique. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:737. [PMID: 33919033 PMCID: PMC8142982 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study evaluates the performance of Baveno VI criteria, using liver stiffness (LS) assessed with a 2D-SWE elastography technique, for predicting high-risk varices (HRV) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). A secondary aim was to determine whether the use of spleen stiffness measurements (SSMs), as additional criteria, increases the performance of the 2D-SWE Baveno VI criteria. Data were collected from 208 subjects with cACLD, who underwent abdominal ultrasound, liver and spleen stiffness measurements, and upper digestive endoscopy. HRV were defined as grade 1 esophageal varices (EV) with red wale marks, grade 2/3 EV, and gastric varices. A total of 35.6% (74/208) of the included subjects had HRV. The optimal LS cut-off value for predicting HRV was 12 kPa (AUROC-0.80). Using both LS cut-off value < 12 kPa and a platelet cut-off value > 150 × 109 cells/L as criteria to exclude HRV, 52/208 (25%) subjects were selected, 88.5% (46/52) were without EV, 9.6% (5/52) had grade 1 EV, and 1.9% (1/52) had HRV. Thus 98% of the subjects were correctly classified as having or not having HRV and 25% of the surveillance endoscopies could have been avoided. Using SS < 13.2 kPa and a platelet cut-off value > 150 × 109 cells/L as additional criteria for the patients that were outside the initial ones, 32.7% of the surveillance endoscopies could have been avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix Bende
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (R.F.); (A.P.); (R.Ș.); (B.M.); (I.S.)
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Dajti E, Alemanni LV, Marasco G, Montagnani M, Azzaroli F. Approaches to the Diagnosis of Portal Hypertension: Non-Invasive or Invasive Tests? Hepat Med 2021; 13:25-36. [PMID: 33776492 PMCID: PMC7987277 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s278077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension is the main driver of complications in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) and is defined by values of hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement (HVPG) >5 mmHg. Values of HVPG ≥10 mmHg determine the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), the main predictor of the risk of variceal bleeding, hepatic decompensation, and mortality. However, its measurement is invasive and requires high expertise, so its routine use outside third level centers or clinical trials is limited. In the last decades, several non-invasive tests (NITs) have been developed and validated for the diagnosis of portal hypertension. Among these, liver (LSM) and spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) are the most promising tools available, as they have been proven accurate to predict CSPH, high-risk esophageal varices, decompensation, and mortality in patients with ACLD. In the last Baveno VI Consensus proceedings, LSM evaluation was recommended for the first time for diagnosis of CSPH (LSM >20-25 kPa) and the screening of patients with a low probability of having high-risk varices (LSM <20 kPa and platelet count >150.000/mm3). In this review, we aimed to summarize the growing evidence supporting the use of non-invasive tests for the evaluation of portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elton Dajti
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigina Vanessa Alemanni
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marasco
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Montagnani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Azzaroli
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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37
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Fofiu R, Bende F, Lupuşoru R, Roxana Şirli, Popescu A, Sporea I. Spleen Stiffness for Predicting Varices Needing Treatment: Comparison between Two Different Elastography Techniques (Point vs. 2D-SWE). Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 2021:6622726. [PMID: 34055675 PMCID: PMC8130909 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6622726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to establish the benefits of using spleen stiffness values measured by two elastography techniques as noninvasive markers for predicting varices needing treatment and comparing their performances. A prospective study was performed, including 107 subjects with compensated liver cirrhosis, who underwent upper digestive endoscopy, as well as spleen stiffness measurements by means of two elastography techniques: pSWE (point shear wave elastography using Virtual Touch Quantification-Siemens Acuson S2000) and 2D-SWE (2D-shear wave elastography-LOGIQ E9, General Electric). Reliable spleen stiffness measurements were obtained in 96.2% (103/107) patients by means of 2D-SWE and in 94.4% (101/107) subjects with pSWE; therefore, 98 subjects were included in the final analysis, of which 40.8% (40/98) had varices needing treatment. The optimal spleen stiffness cut-off value by 2D-SWE for predicting varices needing treatment was 13.2 kPa (AUROC 0.84), while for pSWE, it was 2.91 m/s (AUROC 0.90). Based on AUROC comparison, no difference between the performance of the two techniques for predicting varices needing treatment was found (p=0.1606). In conclusion, spleen stiffness measured by either 2D-SWE or pSWE is a reliable surrogate marker, with good feasibility, applicability, and predictive accuracy for varices needing treatment, with no significant difference between techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Fofiu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bende
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Raluca Lupuşoru
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Şirli
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Alina Popescu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Sporea
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
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Tanaka T, Hirooka M, Koizumi Y, Watanabe T, Yoshida O, Tokumoto Y, Nakamura Y, Sunago K, Yukimoto A, Abe M, Hiasa Y. Development of a method for measuring spleen stiffness by transient elastography using a new device and ultrasound-fusion method. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246315. [PMID: 33539456 PMCID: PMC7861355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard index for evaluating portal hypertension; however, measuring HVPG is invasive. Although transient elastography (TE) is the most common procedure for evaluating organ stiffness, accurate measurement of spleen stiffness (SS) is difficult. We developed a device to demonstrate the diagnostic precision of TE and suggest this technique as a valuable new method to measure SS. Methods Of 292 consecutive patients enrolled in this single-centre, translational, cross-sectional study from June through September in 2019, 200 underwent SS measurement (SSM) using an M probe (training set, n = 130; inspection set, n = 70). We performed TE with B-mode imaging using an ultrasound-fusion method, printed new devices with a three-dimensional printer, and attached the magnetic position sensor to the convex and M probes. We evaluated the diagnostic precision of TE to evaluate the risk of esophagogastric varices (EGVs). Results The median spleen volume was 245 mL (range, 64–1,720 mL), and it took 2 minutes to acquire a B-mode image using the ultrasound-fusion method. The median success rates of TE were 83.3% and 57.6% in patients with and without the new device, respectively (p<0.001); it was 76.9% and 35.0% in patients with and without splenomegaly (<100 mL), respectively (p<0.001). In the prediction of EGVs, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.921 and 0.858 in patients with and without the new device, respectively (p = 0.043). When the new device was attached, the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.44 and 0.11, respectively. The cut-off value of SSM was 46.0 kPa. Data that were similar between the validation and training sets were obtained. Conclusions The SS can be precisely measured using this new device with TE and ultrasound-fusion method. Similarly, we can estimate the bleeding risk due to EGV using this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Masashi Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yohei Koizumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Takao Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yoshio Tokumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Koutarou Sunago
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yukimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Masanori Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Yalçın K, Demir BÇ. Spleen stiffness measurement by shear wave elastography using acoustic radiation force impulse in predicting the etiology of splenomegaly. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021; 46:609-615. [PMID: 32770399 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02649-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To measure spleen stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in patients with splenomegaly and to evaluate utility of elastography technique in identifying etiology of splenomegaly. METHODS Sixty-one treatment-naïve patients with splenomegaly were enrolled. The control group consisted of 20 healthy subjects without history of any disease including diabetes and hypertension, alcohol consumption, or biochemical or ultrasonographic findings indicating hepatic and renal diseases. B-mode ultrasonography and elastographic examinations were performed by a radiologist blinded to the participants. Spleen stiffness was measured by SWE using ARFI. Shear wave velocity (SWV) values were given in m/s. RESULTS Splenomegaly patients were assigned into three groups according to their etiologies as hepatoportal (n = 21), myeloproliferative (n = 23), and infectious (n = 17). Splenomegaly groups and control group were comparable regarding age and sex. Spleen size was higher in the splenomegaly groups than in the controls. Median SWV was significantly higher in the hepatoportal (3.85 m/s) and myeloproliferative (3.42 m/s) groups than in the infectious (2.66 m/s) and control (2.22 m/s) groups. The correlation between SWV and spleen size was not significant in any of the groups. The cut-off value was 3.42 (sensitivity 80.9%, specificity 56.5%) in distinguishing hepatoportal from myeloproliferative etiology; 3.02 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%) in distinguishing hepatoportal from infectious etiology; and 2.84 (sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 88.2%) in distinguishing myeloproliferative from infectious etiology. CONCLUSION Spleen stiffness measured by elastographic techniques in splenomegaly patients was higher than that in healthy subjects. SWV appeared to be beneficial in predicting the etiology of splenomegaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadihan Yalçın
- Radiology Department, Başkent University İstanbul Altunizade Training and Research Hospital, Başkent Üniversitesi, Altunizade, Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Bilge Çakar Demir
- Radiology Department, Başkent University İstanbul Altunizade Training and Research Hospital, Başkent Üniversitesi, Altunizade, Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey
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Spleen Stiffness Probability Index (SSPI): A simple and accurate method to detect esophageal varices in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Ann Hepatol 2021; 19:53-61. [PMID: 31740162 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Recent findings pointed out that even low-risk esophageal varices (EVs) are markers of severe prognosis. Accordingly, we analyzed spleen stiffness (SS) as a non-invasive method to predict EVs of any grade in a cohort of patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. METHOD We measured SS and liver stiffness (LS) using point-Shear-Wave Elastography (pSWE) with Philips Affiniti 70 system in 210 cirrhotic patients who had undergone endoscopic screening for EVs. We compared SS and LS predictive capability for EVs of any grade. RESULTS SS was higher in cirrhotic patients with EVs if compared to patients without EVs (p<0.001). The cut-off analysis detected 31kPa (100% sensitivity and negative predictive value) as the value to rule-out EVs and 69kPa (100% specificity and positive predictive value) to rule-in EVs. Besides, we developed the Spleen Stiffness Probability Index (SSPI), that can provide a probability of presence/absence of EVs. SSPI was the best model according to all discriminative and calibration metrics (AIC=120, BIC=127, AUROC=0.95, Pseudo-R2=0.74). SS demonstrated higher correlation with spleen bipolar diameter and spleen surface (r=0.52/0.55) if compared to LS (r=0.30/0.25) - and with platelet count as well (r=0.67 vs r=0.4). CONCLUSION SS showed significantly higher performance than other parameters, proving to be the best non-invasive test in the screening of EVs: by directly applying SS cut-off of 31kPa, our department could have safely avoided endoscopy in 36% of patients. Despite cut-off analyses, it was possible to create a probability model that could further stratify low-risk from high-risk patients (for any grade of EVs).
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Fofiu R, Bende F, Popescu A, Şirli R, Lupușoru R, Ghiuchici AM, Sporea I. Spleen and Liver Stiffness for Predicting High-Risk Varices in Patients with Compensated Liver Cirrhosis. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:76-83. [PMID: 33067019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The study evaluates the utility of spleen (SS) and liver stiffness (LS) associated with spleen size (SSZ) as non-invasive markers for predicting high-risk varices (HRV). One hundred thirty-two patients with compensated liver cirrhosis who underwent abdominal ultrasound SS (SSM) and LS measurements (LSM) using a 2-D shear wave elastography (2-D-SWE) technique from General Electric and upper endoscopy were included. Similar rates of reliable SSM and LSM were obtained (95.4% and 97.7% respectively); therefore, 124 patients were included in the final analysis. The optimal cutoff values for SS, LS and SSZ for predicting HRV were 13.2 kPa (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.84), 12.1 kPa (AUROC = 0.86) and 12.9 cm (AUROC = 0.71), respectively. Including these factors in multiple regression analysis, we obtained the scores for predicting HRV: 0.053 × SS + 0.054 × LS + 0.059 × SSZ - 1.84. The score's optimal cutoff value for predicting HRV was >0.34 (AUROC = 0.93). By comparing the AUROC's, the score including SSZ, SSM and LSM performed better than each independent factor for predicting HRV (p = 0.0091; p = 0.0341; p < 0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Fofiu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bende
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania.
| | - Alina Popescu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Şirli
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Raluca Lupușoru
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Ghiuchici
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Sporea
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
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Splenic stiffness and platelet count to predict varices needing treatment in pediatric extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. Indian J Gastroenterol 2020; 39:576-583. [PMID: 33231766 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-020-01099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance endoscopy to detect varices needing treatment (VNT) is important to prevent bleeding and morbidity in portal hypertension. In adult and pediatric cirrhosis, platelet count and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) are useful in selecting patients for endoscopy. Such recommendations do not exist for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). Splenic stiffness measurement (SSM) has been studied in adult and pediatric EHPVO with conflicting results and methodological errors. This study evaluates the role of platelet counts and SSM to predict VNT and bleeding in pediatric EHPVO while comparing LSM and SSM between pediatric EHPVO and controls. METHODS One hundred and seven children (55 with EHPVO and 52 controls) were recruited. Clinical, biochemical, hematological, and radiographic parameters of all children were noted. All children with EHPVO underwent endoscopy. RESULTS Of the 55 children with EHPVO, 48 (87.3%) had VNT. There was no difference in the platelet counts (85,000/mm3 vs. 120,000/mm3, p = 0.58) and SSM (3.62 vs. 3.19, p = 0.05) between EHPVO children with VNT and those without. They had poor sensitivity and specificity to predict VNT. EHPVO children with bleeding had higher SSM that those without. LSM was higher among EHPVO than among controls (1.19 vs. 1.10, p = 0.003). Those with LSM higher than controls had normal liver histology. CONCLUSION SSM is higher in EHPVO bleeders but SSM and platelet counts are unreliable to predict VNT in pediatric EHPVO. Surveillance endoscopies may be needed in all pediatric EHPVO until better screening strategies are available. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Kennedy P, Bane O, Hectors SJ, Fischman A, Schiano T, Lewis S, Taouli B. Noninvasive imaging assessment of portal hypertension. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:3473-3495. [PMID: 32926209 PMCID: PMC10124623 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02729-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PH) is a spectrum of complications of chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhosis, with manifestations including ascites, gastroesophageal varices, splenomegaly, hypersplenism, hepatic hydrothorax, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. PH can vary in severity and is diagnosed via invasive hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement (HVPG), which is considered the reference standard. Accurate diagnosis of PH and assessment of severity are highly relevant as patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are at higher risk for developing acute variceal bleeding and mortality. In this review, we discuss current and upcoming noninvasive imaging methods for diagnosis and assessment of severity of PH.
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Muñoz-Codoceo C, Amo M, Martín A, Martín-Arriscado Arroba C, Cuevas Del Campo L, Manzano ML, Muñoz R, Castellano G, Fernández I. Diagnostic accuracy of liver and spleen stiffness measured by fibroscan® in the prediction of esophageal varices in HCV-related cirrhosis patients treated with oral antivirals. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2020; 44:269-276. [PMID: 33097282 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of liver and spleen stiffness measurement by transient elastography for the prediction of gastroesophageal varices in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis treated with new direct-acting antiviral agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS This cross-sectional observational study included patients with compensated HCV-related cirrhosis and sustained virological response after direct-acting antiviral therapy. Patients underwent liver and spleen stiffness measurement, abdominal ultrasound and oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy. Clinical and laboratory data and non-invasive markers such as the liver stiffness-spleen diameter to platelet ratio score, variceal risk index and platelet count to spleen diameter ratio were analyzed. RESULTS Ninety-seven consecutive patients were included. Liver stiffness measurement (12.2 vs 16; p=0.02), spleen stiffness measurement (39.4 vs 46.05; p=0.04), liver stiffness-spleen diameter to platelet ratio score (1.21 vs 2.02; p=0.008), platelet count to spleen diameter ratio (1102.19 vs 829.7; p=0.04) and variceal risk index (-3.4 vs -1.02; p=0.01) showed significant differences between patients without/with gastroesophageal varices. The best cut-off value to discard the presence of gastroesophageal varices was 12.3kPa for liver stiffness measurement and 27kPa for spleen stiffness measurement. However, diagnostic accuracy was moderate (AUROC: 0.671 and 0.624 respectively). Combining different non-invasive parameters did not significantly improve the overall performance. DISCUSSION Liver and spleen stiffness measurement showed suboptimal results for non-invasive assessment of gastroesophageal varices in HCV cirrhotic patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents. Our results suggest that non-invasive methods cannot substitute standard procedures for predicting gastroesophageal varices in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Amo
- Digestive Disease Service, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martín
- Digestive Disease Service, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Maria Luisa Manzano
- Digestive Disease Service, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Muñoz
- Digestive Disease Service, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregorio Castellano
- Digestive Disease Service, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
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Diagnostic accuracy of spleen stiffness to evaluate portal hypertension and esophageal varices in chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Radiol 2020; 31:2392-2404. [PMID: 32974686 PMCID: PMC7979650 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07223-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To systematically review studies on the diagnostic accuracy of spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) for the detection of clinical significant portal hypertension (CSPH), severe portal hypertension (SPH), esophageal varices (EV), and high-risk esophageal varices (HREV) in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). Methods Through a systematic search, we identified 32 studies reporting the accuracy of SSM for the diagnosis of portal hypertension (PH) and/or EV in adults with CLD. A bivariate random-effects model was performed to estimate pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR). The clinical utility of SSM was evaluated by Fagan plot. Results A total of 32 studies assessing 3952 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivities of SSM were 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69–0.93) for CSPH; 0.84 (95% CI, 0.75–0.90) for SPH; 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83–0.94) for any EV; and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77–0.93) for HREV. The pooled specificities of SSM were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74–0.93) for CSPH; 0.84 (95% CI, 0.72–0.91) for SPH; 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66–0.79) for EV; and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53–0.77) for HREV. Summary PPV and NPV of SSM for detecting HREV were 0.54 (95% CI, 0.47–0.62) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81–0.95), respectively. Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that SSM could be used as a helpful surveillance tool in management of CLD patients and was quite useful for ruling out the presence of HREV thereby avoiding unnecessary endoscopy. Key Points • SSM could be used to rule out the presence of HREV in patients with CLD thereby avoiding unnecessary endoscopy. • SSM has significant diagnostic value for CSPH and SPH with high sensitivity and specificity in patients with CLD. • SSM could be used as a helpful surveillance tool for clinicians managing CLD patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00330-020-07223-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Kang SH, Baik SK, Kim MY. Application of Baveno Criteria and Modified Baveno Criteria with Shear-wave Elastography in Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease. J Korean Med Sci 2020; 35:e249. [PMID: 32743990 PMCID: PMC7402928 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to validate Baveno VI and expanded Baveno VI criteria using two dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) in compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) patients with alcohol as the main etiology. METHODS Clinical data from 305 patients with cACLD who underwent a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with 2D-SWE and endoscopy were consecutively collected. RESULTS Among 305 patients, high-risk varix (HRV) was identified in 21.3% (n = 65). The main etiology was alcoholic liver disease (51.8%), followed by hepatitis B virus (29.8%) and hepatitis C virus (9.1%). Baveno VI criteria spared endoscopy in 118 of the 305 (38.7%) patients, and 7 (5.9%) were missed with HRV. Expanded Baveno VI criteria spared more endoscopies (60.0%), but missed more HRV (9.8%) compared with Baveno VI criteria. The other classification described as the modified Baveno VI criteria were LSM < 25 kPa and PLT ≥ 150 × 10³/mm³. In total, 131 of the 305 (43.0%) patients were within the modified Baveno VI criteria, of whom seven (5.3%) had missed HRV. After adding spleen diameter < 12 cm to the modified Baveno VI criteria, the number of spared endoscopies increased by 106/305 (34.8%), with three (2.8%) presenting with HRV, indicating a risk of missing HRV. CONCLUSION Baveno VI and expanded Baveno VI criteria with 2D-SWE were insufficient with an HRV miss rate of over 5%. The modified Baveno VI criteria with spleen diameters < 12 cm with 2D-SWE spared more endoscopies with a minimal risk of missing HRV in cACLD patients with alcohol as the main etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Hee Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Soon Koo Baik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Moon Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
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Giunta M, La Mura V, Conti CB, Casazza G, Tosetti G, Gridavilla D, Segato S, Nicolini A, Primignani M, Lampertico P, Fraquelli M. The Role of Spleen and Liver Elastography and Color-Doppler Ultrasound in the Assessment of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Function. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:1641-1650. [PMID: 32402671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The reference standard for assessing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) function is venography with portosystemic pressure gradient (PPG) measurement. This procedure is invasive and expensive; thus, we assessed the feasibility, reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy of color-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and spleen and liver stiffness (LS) measurements for identifying TIPS dysfunction. Twenty-four patients (15 undergoing TIPS placement and nine undergoing TIPS revision) consecutively underwent CDUS examination and LS and spleen stiffness (SS) determination by transient elastography (TE) and point shear-wave elastography (pSWE). All parameters were taken before TIPS placement/revision (1-15 d before) and 24 h after, just before revision by venography. pSWE inter-observer agreement was assessed by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). CDUS and elastographic data were correlated (Pearson coefficient) with pressure gradients (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG], PPG). Main determinants of TIPS dysfunction were investigated by linear regression. Forty-nine paired examinations were performed in total: 49 (100%) SS reliable measurements by pSWE and 38 (88%) by TE. The ICC for pSWE values was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81‒0.94). SS values significantly correlated with HVPG and PPG (R = 0.51, p = 0.01). The area under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve of SS for diagnosing TIPS dysfunction was 0.86 (95% CI 0.70‒0.96) using a 25 kPa cutoff. At multivariate analysis, the flow direction of the intrahepatic portal vein branches and SS values were independently associated to TIPS dysfunction. The intrahepatic portal vein branches flow direction and SS value are two simple, highly sensitive parameters accurately excluding TIPS dysfunction. SS measurement by pSWE is feasible, reproducible and both positively and significantly correlates with HVPG and PPG values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Giunta
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo La Mura
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Medicina Generale, Emostasi e Trombosi, Milan, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Centro di Ricerca Coordinata "A.M. e A. Migliavacca" per lo Studio e la Cura delle Malattie del Fegato, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Benedetta Conti
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Casazza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Tosetti
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Medicina Generale, Emostasi e Trombosi, Milan, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Centro di Ricerca Coordinata "A.M. e A. Migliavacca" per lo Studio e la Cura delle Malattie del Fegato, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Gridavilla
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Segato
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Nicolini
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Radiologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Primignani
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Medicina Generale, Emostasi e Trombosi, Milan, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Centro di Ricerca Coordinata "A.M. e A. Migliavacca" per lo Studio e la Cura delle Malattie del Fegato, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Medicina Generale, Emostasi e Trombosi, Milan, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Centro di Ricerca Coordinata "A.M. e A. Migliavacca" per lo Studio e la Cura delle Malattie del Fegato, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirella Fraquelli
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia, Milan, Italy.
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Distler T, McDonald K, Heid S, Karakaya E, Detsch R, Boccaccini AR. Ionically and Enzymatically Dual Cross-Linked Oxidized Alginate Gelatin Hydrogels with Tunable Stiffness and Degradation Behavior for Tissue Engineering. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3899-3914. [PMID: 33463325 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels that allow for the successful long-term in vitro culture of cell-biomaterial systems to enable the maturation of tissue engineering constructs are highly relevant in regenerative medicine. Naturally derived polysaccharide-based hydrogels promise to be one material group with enough versatility and chemical functionalization capability to tackle the challenges associated with long-term cell culture. We report a marine derived oxidized alginate, alginate dialdehyde (ADA), and gelatin (GEL) system (ADA-GEL), which is cross-linked via ionic (Ca2+) and enzymatic (microbial transglutaminase, mTG) interaction to form dually cross-linked hydrogels. The cross-linking approach allowed us to tailor the stiffness of the hydrogels in a wide range (from <5 to 120 kPa), without altering the initial ADA and GEL hydrogel chemistry. It was possible to control the degradation behavior of the hydrogels to be stable for up to 30 days of incubation. Increasing concentrations of mTG cross-linker solutions allowed us to tune the degradation behavior of the ADA-GEL hydrogels from fast (<7 days) to moderate (14 days) and slow (>30 days) degradation kinetics. The cytocompatibility of mTG cross-linked ADA-GEL was assessed using NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and ATDC-5 mouse teratocarcinoma cells. Both cell types showed highly increased cellular attachment on mTG cross-linked ADA-GEL in comparison to Ca2+ cross-linked hydrogels. In addition, ATDC-5 cells showed a higher proliferation on mTG cross-linked ADA-GEL hydrogels in comparison to tissue culture polystyrene control substrates. Further, the attachment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on ADA-GEL (+) mTG was confirmed, proving the suitability of mTG+Ca2+ cross-linked ADA-GEL for several cell types. Summarizing, a promising platform to control the properties of ADA-GEL hydrogels is presented, with the potential to be applied in long-term cell culture investigations such as cartilage, bone, and blood-vessel engineering, as well as for biofabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Distler
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kilian McDonald
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Heid
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Emine Karakaya
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Detsch
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aldo R Boccaccini
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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Liver stiffness measured by acoustic radiation force impulse elastography predicted prognoses of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2006. [PMID: 32029840 PMCID: PMC7005159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognostic factors of patients who undergo radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the role of liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffness (SS) measured by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in determining the prognoses of patients with HCC after RFA. We prospectively enrolled 173 patients with HCC who underwent ARFI elastography for measurement of LS and SS on the same day of RFA. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) after adjusting for competing mortality, and presence of hepatic decompensation were investigated. Patients with LS > 1.5 m/s had significantly shorter OS and RFS than their counterparts. Anti-viral treatment (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.396, p = 0.015) and LS > 1.5 m/s (HR 4.105, p = 0.028) correlated with OS by a multivariate analysis. Besides, serum alpha fetoprotein >10 ng/mL and LS > 1.5 m/s independently predicted poorer RFS. On the other hand, anti-viral treatment (HR: 0.315, p = 0.010), creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL (HR: 9.447, p = 0.006), and SS > 2.7 m/s (HR: 2.869, p = 0.044) predicted a higher risk of hepatic decompensation. In conclusion, LS but not SS measured by ARFI elastography predicted tumor recurrence and OS in RFA-treated HCC; whereas, SS predicted development of hepatic decompensation in these patients.
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Protopapas AA, Mylopoulou T, Papadopoulos VP, Vogiatzi K, Goulis I, Mimidis K. Validating and expanding the Baveno VI criteria for esophageal varices in patients with advanced liver disease: a multicenter study. Ann Gastroenterol 2020; 33:87-94. [PMID: 31892803 PMCID: PMC6928480 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2019.0429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION According to the Baveno VI workshop, patients with compensated advanced liver disease, platelet count (PLT) >150,000/μL and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) <20 kPa can avoid screening endoscopy for high-risk varices (HRVs). The purpose of this study was to validate these criteria in a multicenter Greek cohort and consider other approaches that may further decrease the number of endoscopies. METHODS We prospectively enrolled patients with advanced liver disease (defined as LSM >12 kPa) and evaluated them according to the Baveno VI criteria. Exclusion criteria were splanchnic vein thrombosis, use of β-blockers, and esophageal varices. Screening endoscopy was conducted within 6 months of liver stiffness and laboratory measurements. RESULTS One-hundred seven consecutive patients were enrolled in the study to undergo LSM and screening endoscopy. Of these, 13 met the Baveno VI criteria (12.1%); none of the latter had HRVs. Additional parameters were examined, among which the quotient PLT/log10LSM exhibited the largest area under the curve; concerning the latter, values ≤122,000 μL-1 x kPa-1 predicted high-risk varices with 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV), preventing 20.6% of patients from unneeded screening endoscopy (P=0.003). Moreover, values ≤92,000 μL-1 x kPa-1 exhibited 86% sensitivity and 94% NPV, preventing 44.9% of patients from unneeded screening endoscopy (P=0.001), while maintaining a tolerable percentage of overlooked patients with HRVs (6.3%). CONCLUSIONS The Baveno VI criteria were successfully validated in our study. The quotient PLT/log10LSM can be used to further decrease the number of screening endoscopies in patients with advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adonis A. Protopapas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki (Adonis A. Protopapas, Ioannis Goulis)
| | - Theodora Mylopoulou
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis (Theodora Mylopoulou, Kiriaki Vogiatzi, Konstantinos Mimidis)
| | | | - Kiriaki Vogiatzi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis (Theodora Mylopoulou, Kiriaki Vogiatzi, Konstantinos Mimidis)
| | - Ioannis Goulis
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki (Adonis A. Protopapas, Ioannis Goulis)
| | - Konstantinos Mimidis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis (Theodora Mylopoulou, Kiriaki Vogiatzi, Konstantinos Mimidis)
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