Can Ultrasound Elastography Predict Esophageal Varices in Hepatic Disease?

Esophageal varices are a common complication and cause of morbidity in PH [3]. The incidence of EV varies between one-third in compensated to two-thirds in decompensated cases of PH with new EV appearing in a tenth of these patients [4]. Once esophageal varices develop, they gradually enlarge at the rate of 10% to 20% per year before finally rupturing or bleeding [3,4]. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (UGIE) remains a gold-standard technique till date not only for diagnosis but also for its management [5]. But UGIE has the disadvantage of being an invasive & expensive technique besides its limited availability and inability to time diagnosis & management simultaneously. Because of the above inevitable reasons, there is a strong need for a non-invasive technique that can not only predict the presence or absence of EV but also their grade and hence the risk of rupture. Such a technique can help in accurate timing of UGIE for reducing associated morbidity & mortality.