Abstract
The aims of the multicentric study were:
1. to assess the sensitivity of 12 and 20 MHz radial endosonography (rEUS) and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in the detection and size of gastric varices (GV) and oesophageal varices (OV);
2. to ascertain the relationship between liver function damage and variceal size;
3. to compare signs of portal hypertension provable in abdominal ultrasonography with endoscopic findings;
4. to evaluate the incidence and size of varices depending on blood flow through the portal vein by Doppler ultrasound. The procedures (endosonography, oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy, transabdominal ultrasonography and Doppler measurement in the portal and lienal veins, determination of liver function reserve) were done, on a blinded basis, by separate teams who were not informed about the results of individual investigations. The group comprised 61 patients suffering from liver cirrhosis with an average age of
54.5 +-
10.5 (23-84). The sensitivity and specificity of rEUS related to EGD in the detection of OV was
94.4% and
71.4%, respectively.The concordance of EGD and rEUS in the detection of oesophageal and gastric varices was
91.8% and
60.6% of cases, respectively, in the localization of OV in
57.1% of cases and in the size of varices in 66%. A statistically significant relationship between the severity of liver disease according to the Child-Pugh classification and the size of OV determined by EGD and rEUS was identified (p=0.012 and p=0.006, respectively). Radial endosonography is capable of a precise diagnosis of the presence of oesophageal and gastric varices. It is a more reproducible method for measuring the size of varices.