role of fibroscan as a non-invasive predictor for oesophageal varices in post hcv cirrhotic egyptian patients with or without bilhariziasis

ABSTRACT

Background: Development of oesophageal varices is a major complication that may occur in up to 90% of cirrhotic patients. The endoscopic screening is an invasive procedure. This is why the selection of patients with large oesophageal varices at high risk for bleeding has become an issue of growing importance. In this respect, several clinical, biochemical, ultrasonographic and elastrogarphic [transient elastography-TE] methods have been proposed [and some of them validated] as noninvasive alternatives to endoscopy