Alternative methods for diagnosis of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Esophageal variceal bleeding is one of the most serious complications of liver cirrhosis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of esophageal varices, but it is invasive. Recently, several studies have reported some alternative methods for the diagnosis of esophageal varices, including serological model, ultrasound parameters, liver and spleen stiffness measurement, esophageal capsule endoscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and computed tomography. This article reviews the accuracy of these methods in the diagnosis of esophageal varices and their clinical significance. Ultrasound parameters (splenoportal index, congestion index of the portal vein, and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio), spleen stiffness measurement, computed tomography, and esophageal capsule endoscopy are accurate in the diagnosis of esophageal varices, and therefore, they can be applied in clinical practice and the application of UGE should be reduced.