Transient elastography as a predictor of oesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Transient elastography may help to screen patients who are at high risk of bearing large (P≥II) oesophageal varices which predict variceal bleeding and, therefore, need endoscopic screening. Lives stiffness values higher than 19.2 kPa indicate the need for oesophageal-gastro-bulboscopy, while liver stiffness values lower than 19.2 kPa make the presence of large oesophageal varices unlikely.