Meta-analysis of the accuracy of transient elastography in measuring liver stiffness to diagnose esophageal varices in cirrhosis

Non-invasive imaging biomarkers in chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global and worldwide clinical challenge, considering that different underlying liver entities can lead to hepatic dysfunction. In the past, blood tests and clinical evaluation were the main noninvasive tools used to detect, diagnose and follow-up patients with CLD; in case of clinical suspicion of CLD or unclear diagnosis, liver biopsy has been considered as the reference standard to rule out different chronic liver conditions. Nowadays, noninvasive tests have gained a central role in the clinical pathway. Particularly, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and cross-sectional imaging techniques can provide transversal information to clinicians, helping them to correctly manage, treat and follow patients during time. Cross-sectional imaging techniques, namely computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have plenty of potential. Both techniques allow to compute the liver surface nodularity (LSN), associated with CLDs and risk of decompensation. MRI can also help quantify fatty liver infiltration, mainly with the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) sequences, and detect and quantify fibrosis, especially thanks to elastography (MRE). Advanced techniques, such as intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), T1- and T2- mapping are promising tools for detecting fibrosis deposition. Furthermore, the injection of hepatobiliary contrast agents has gained an important role not only in liver lesion characterization but also in assessing liver function, especially in CLDs. Finally, the broad development of radiomics signatures, applied to CT and MR, can be considered the next future approach to CLDs. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current advancements and applications of both invasive and noninvasive imaging techniques in the evaluation and management of CLD.

Evaluation of Noninvasive Tools for Predicting Esophageal Varices in Patients With Cirrhosis at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town

Background: In patients with cirrhosis, esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) is a devastating consequence of portal hypertension (PH). Upper endoscopy is considered the gold standard for the detection and diagnosis of esophageal varices (EVs), despite being invasive and costly. This study was aimed at identifying and evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tools in predicting EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with compensated cirrhosis at the Tygerberg Hospital Gastroenterology Clinic in Cape Town between November 2022 and May 2023. We collected clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data from patients' physical and electronic charts. All patients underwent an abdominal ultrasound, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) to assess liver and splenic stiffness, and upper endoscopy. In this comparative study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of different noninvasive tools in detecting EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Results: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 30 (60%) were female and 20 (40%) were male. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 83, with a mean age of 46.6 years. Cirrhosis was mainly due to alcohol use (n = 11, 22%), hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (n = 11, 22%), and autoimmune hepatitis (n = 10, 20%). The patients included in the study were divided into two subgroups: with (n = 34, 68%) or without (n = 16, 32%) EVs. Statistically significant differences were detected between groups in platelet count (PC), liver stiffness measurement (LSM), spleen stiffness measurement (SSM), portal vein diameter (PVD), bipolar spleen diameter (SBD), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), platelet/bipolar spleen diameter ratio (PSR), liver stiffness-spleen size-platelet ratio (LSPS), liver stiffness-spleen stiffness-platelet ratio score (LS3PS), and spleen stiffness-spleen size-platelet ratio score (SSPS) (p < 0.001). The highest diagnostic precision was observed with SSM (96%), SSPS (96%), LS3PS (94%), LSPS (94%), PSR (94%), and PC (92%). SBD (88%), LSM (86%), APRI (82%), and FIB-4 (82%) had the lowest diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: SSM and SSPS have the highest diagnostic accuracy for predicting the presence of EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. LSPS, LS3PS, and PSR come second at 94%. We recommend SSM and SSPS in institutions with transient elastography equipped with the software necessary to measure splenic stiffness. We introduce and propose LS3PS as a novel composite score for predicting the presence of EVs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Large-sample-size studies are needed to validate these prediction scores and to allow direct comparison with Baveno VII. These prediction tools can help clinicians avoid unnecessary endoscopic procedures in patients with compensated cirrhosis, especially in developing countries with limited resources such as South Africa.

Diagnostic value of liver stiffness measurement combined with risk scores for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis

PURPOSE

To assess the predictive value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and three bleeding risk scoring systems for esophagogastric varices bleeding (EGVB) in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis during hospitalization.

METHODS

In this study, 210 patients who had hepatitis B cirrhosis were selected as the subjects. They were categorized into two groups based on whether EGVB occurred during hospitalization: a bleeding group (70 cases) and a non-bleeding group (140 cases). Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to the occurrence of EGVB, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed between the two groups in systolic blood pressure, platelet count, albumin, urea nitrogen, LSM, pre-endoscopic Rockall score (PRS), Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), and AIMS65 score (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that LSM had significant positive relationship with PRS, GBS and AIMS65 score. Logistic regression analysis revealed that LSM and GBS score were independent risk factors for EGVB occurrence during hospitalization. ROC curve analysis showed that the combined prediction model of LSM and GBS score had the best prediction performance for EGVB occurrence, with an ROC curve area of 0.811, which was significantly better than the three risk scoring systems (P < 0.05), but similar to the predicted value of LSM (P = 0.335).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of LSM and GBS score can significantly improve the predictive efficacy of EGVB occurrence in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis during hospitalization, which has important clinical significance for patients' prognosis.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Liver and Spleen Stiffness in Magnetic Resonance Elastography for the Detection of Gastroesophageal Varices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the performance of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in detecting gastroesophageal varices (GEV) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

METHODS

A literature search in English and Chinese databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure was conducted. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve with a 95% CI were calculated. A quality analysis of the included study was conducted using the QUADAS-2 tool, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata16. The clinical practical value of MRE in detecting GEV was evaluated using the Fagan plot. Heterogeneity across studies was explored through meta-regression and subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

A total of nine relevant articles that compared liver stiffness (LS) or spleen stiffness (SS) using MRE with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to detect the existence of GEV were identified. The pooled summary sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR of LS or SS for the detection of GEV were 81% (95% CI: 74%, 87%), 72% (95% CI: 62%, 80%), 2.89 (95% CI: 2.12, 3.94), 0.26 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.36), and 10.91 (95% CI: 6.53, 18.24), respectively. The year of publication, study design, and MR equipment are the sources of heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in the publication bias (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, MRE demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for detecting GEV in patients with CLD.

Dynamics in Liver Stiffness Measurements Predict Outcomes in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) provide an opportunity to monitor liver disease progression and regression noninvasively. We aimed to determine the prognostic relevance of LSM dynamics over time for liver-related events and death in patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODS

Patients with chronic liver disease undergoing 2 or more reliable LSMs at least 180 days apart were included in this retrospective cohort study and stratified at baseline (BL) as nonadvanced chronic liver disease (non-ACLD, BL-LSM < 10 kPa), compensated ACLD (cACLD; BL-LSM ≥ 10 kPa), and decompensated ACLD. Data on all consecutive LSMs and clinical outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

There were 2508 patients with 8561 reliable LSMs (3 per patient; interquartile range, 2-4) included: 1647 (65.7%) with non-ACLD, 757 (30.2%) with cACLD, and 104 (4.1%) with decompensated ACLD. Seven non-ACLD patients (0.4%) and 83 patients with cACLD (10.9%) developed hepatic decompensation (median follow-up, 71 months). A 20% increase in LSM at any time was associated with an approximately 50% increased risk of hepatic decompensation (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.41-1.79; P < .001) and liver-related death (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.28-1.68; P < .001) in patients with cACLD. LSM dynamics yielded a high accuracy to predict hepatic decompensation in the following 12 months (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve = 0.933). The performance of LSM dynamics was numerically better than dynamics in Fibrosis-4 score (0.873), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (0.835), and single time-point LSM (BL-LSM: 0.846; second LSM: 0.880). Any LSM decrease to <20 kPa identified patients with cACLD with a substantially lower risk of hepatic decompensation (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.07-0.24). If reliable, LSM also confers prognostic information in decompensated ACLD.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeating LSM enables an individual and updated risk assessment for decompensation and liver-related mortality in ACLD.

Prediction of High-Risk Varices in Patients with Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease in Saudi Arabia

Purpose

Liver stiffness and low platelet count can predict portal hypertension and high-risk varices (HRVs) in patients with cirrhosis. Thus, screening endoscopy may not be required for all patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). However, data from Saudi Arabia are limited. This study aimed to validate the Baveno VI and expanded Baveno VI criteria for screening endoscopy and identify the risk factors associated with HRVs in patients with cACLD in Saudi Arabia.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed data from 215 patients with cACLD diagnosed on transient elastography (LSM > 10 kPa) and had paired platelet count and screening upper endoscopy performed within one year of diagnosis. HRVs or varices needing treatment (VNTs) were defined as medium-to-large esophageal varices (EVs), small EVs with red flags, or gastric varices. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified HRV risk factors.

Results

The Baveno VI criteria spared 50.7% of endoscopies, missing 3.7% of VNTs, while the expanded Baveno VI criteria spared 63.7% of endoscopies, missing 5.1% VNTs. An LSM <20 kPa and platelet count > 150,000/µL were associated with HRV in 8.1% and 8.3%, respectively. While an LSM <25 kPa and platelet count > 110,000/µL were associated with HRV in 9.7% and 9%, respectively. The Baveno VI criteria had sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 55%, while the expanded criteria had 67% and 69%, respectively. Baveno VI criteria performed better in hepatitis C virus patients than nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed platelet count and LSM as predictors of HRV.

Conclusion

The Baveno VI criteria effectively identified HRVs in cACLD patients from Saudi Arabia, reducing unnecessary endoscopies. Although the expanded criteria avoided more endoscopies, it led to a higher rate of missed HRVs.

Liver and spleen stiffness for the diagnosis of oesophageal varices in adults with chronic liver disease

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of liver stiffness and spleen stiffness, separately or in combination, as measured by vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) in detection of any oesophageal varices in adults with chronic liver disease. We will regard a combination of tests as positive when at least one is positive.

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of individual tests (liver stiffness and spleen stiffness measured by VCTE) directly and versus the combination of both tests (considering positive when at least one is positive) in detecting any oesophageal varices.

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of liver stiffness and spleen stiffness, separately or in combination, as measured by other elastography techniques (2D‐shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE), point shear wave elastography (pSWE), magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)) in detection of any oesophageal varices in adults with chronic liver disease. We will regard a combination of tests as positive when at least one is positive.

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of liver stiffness and spleen stiffness measured by VCTE with other techniques (pSWE, 2D‐SWE, MRE) in detection of any oesophageal varices in adults with chronic liver disease.

Long-term prognosis of patients with alcohol-related liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease according to metabolic syndrome or alcohol use

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The boundary between non-alcoholic (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is based on alcohol consumption. However, metabolic syndrome and alcohol use frequently co-exist. The aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors of long-term morbidity and mortality in patients with NAFLD or ALD.

METHODS

From 2003 to 2016, all consecutive NAFLD or ALD patients were prospectively included in this cohort study. We evaluated overall survival, specific cause of mortality and occurrence of any complication. The primary endpoint was analysed by the Kaplan Meier method, secondary endpoints were estimated by Gray test method or logistic regressions. Factors independently associated with overall mortality and morbidity were identified by a multivariate Cox model.

RESULTS

A total of 3365 patients (1667 with ALD and 1698 with NAFLD) were included. Median follow-up was 54 months (range: 30-86) and 563 subjects died. In the overall population, overall mortality was higher in patients with ALD (HR: 10.1 [7.57-13.3]), and with weekly alcohol consumption >7 units (HR:1.66 [1.41-1.96]). Liver-related mortality was higher in patients with ALD (HR: 11 [7.27-16.5]). In the NAFLD group, weekly alcohol consumption >1 unit was associated with higher overall mortality (HR: 1.9 [1.1-3.4]), and weekly alcohol consumption >7 units was associated with higher overall morbidity (OR: 1.89 [1.61-2.21]). In the ALD group, the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with higher overall (HR:1.27 [1.02-1.57]), and liver (HR: 1.47 [1.1-1.96]) mortalities, and overall (OR: 1.46 [1.14-1.88]), liver (OR: 1.46 [1.14-1.88]) morbidities.

CONCLUSION

In fatty liver diseases, light alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome are prognosis cofactors.

Prediction of late allograft dysfunction following liver transplantation by immunological blood biomarkers

BACKGROUND

An accelerated course of hepatic fibrosis may occur in liver transplantation (LT) patients despite normal or slightly abnormal liver blood tests.

AIM

To identify screening tools based on blood biomarkers to predict late allograft dysfunction in LT recipients.

METHODS

174 LT recipients were enrolled. Liver biopsy, liver functional tests, cytokine quantitation in serum, as well as soluble MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A and B (sMICA/sMICB) and soluble UL16 binding protein 2 (sULBP2) were performed.

RESULTS

Patients with late graft dysfunction had a significantly higher donor age, lower albumin level, higher alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), higher sMICA, sULBP2, higher interleukin (IL) 6, interferon γ and lower IL10 in serum as compared to recipients without allograft dysfunction. In order to provide a better statistical accuracy for discriminating 5-year allograft dysfunction from other less progressive subtype of allograft injury, we established a predictive model, based on 7 parameters (serum ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, sMICA, IL6 and albumin) which provided an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC) curve of 0.905.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood-based biomarkers can significantly improve prediction of late liver allograft outcome in LT patients. The new developed score comprising serum parameters, with an excellent AUROC, can be reliably used for diagnosing late allograft dysfunction in transplanted patients.

Assessing Baveno VI Criteria Using Liver Stiffness Measured with a 2D-Shear Wave Elastography Technique

The present study evaluates the performance of Baveno VI criteria, using liver stiffness (LS) assessed with a 2D-SWE elastography technique, for predicting high-risk varices (HRV) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). A secondary aim was to determine whether the use of spleen stiffness measurements (SSMs), as additional criteria, increases the performance of the 2D-SWE Baveno VI criteria. Data were collected from 208 subjects with cACLD, who underwent abdominal ultrasound, liver and spleen stiffness measurements, and upper digestive endoscopy. HRV were defined as grade 1 esophageal varices (EV) with red wale marks, grade 2/3 EV, and gastric varices. A total of 35.6% (74/208) of the included subjects had HRV. The optimal LS cut-off value for predicting HRV was 12 kPa (AUROC-0.80). Using both LS cut-off value < 12 kPa and a platelet cut-off value > 150 × 109 cells/L as criteria to exclude HRV, 52/208 (25%) subjects were selected, 88.5% (46/52) were without EV, 9.6% (5/52) had grade 1 EV, and 1.9% (1/52) had HRV. Thus 98% of the subjects were correctly classified as having or not having HRV and 25% of the surveillance endoscopies could have been avoided. Using SS < 13.2 kPa and a platelet cut-off value > 150 × 109 cells/L as additional criteria for the patients that were outside the initial ones, 32.7% of the surveillance endoscopies could have been avoided.

Spleen Stiffness for Predicting Varices Needing Treatment: Comparison between Two Different Elastography Techniques (Point vs. 2D-SWE)

The study aimed to establish the benefits of using spleen stiffness values measured by two elastography techniques as noninvasive markers for predicting varices needing treatment and comparing their performances. A prospective study was performed, including 107 subjects with compensated liver cirrhosis, who underwent upper digestive endoscopy, as well as spleen stiffness measurements by means of two elastography techniques: pSWE (point shear wave elastography using Virtual Touch Quantification-Siemens Acuson S2000) and 2D-SWE (2D-shear wave elastography-LOGIQ E9, General Electric). Reliable spleen stiffness measurements were obtained in 96.2% (103/107) patients by means of 2D-SWE and in 94.4% (101/107) subjects with pSWE; therefore, 98 subjects were included in the final analysis, of which 40.8% (40/98) had varices needing treatment. The optimal spleen stiffness cut-off value by 2D-SWE for predicting varices needing treatment was 13.2 kPa (AUROC 0.84), while for pSWE, it was 2.91 m/s (AUROC 0.90). Based on AUROC comparison, no difference between the performance of the two techniques for predicting varices needing treatment was found (p=0.1606). In conclusion, spleen stiffness measured by either 2D-SWE or pSWE is a reliable surrogate marker, with good feasibility, applicability, and predictive accuracy for varices needing treatment, with no significant difference between techniques.

Spleen Stiffness Probability Index (SSPI): A simple and accurate method to detect esophageal varices in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Recent findings pointed out that even low-risk esophageal varices (EVs) are markers of severe prognosis. Accordingly, we analyzed spleen stiffness (SS) as a non-invasive method to predict EVs of any grade in a cohort of patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.

METHOD

We measured SS and liver stiffness (LS) using point-Shear-Wave Elastography (pSWE) with Philips Affiniti 70 system in 210 cirrhotic patients who had undergone endoscopic screening for EVs. We compared SS and LS predictive capability for EVs of any grade.

RESULTS

SS was higher in cirrhotic patients with EVs if compared to patients without EVs (p<0.001). The cut-off analysis detected 31kPa (100% sensitivity and negative predictive value) as the value to rule-out EVs and 69kPa (100% specificity and positive predictive value) to rule-in EVs. Besides, we developed the Spleen Stiffness Probability Index (SSPI), that can provide a probability of presence/absence of EVs. SSPI was the best model according to all discriminative and calibration metrics (AIC=120, BIC=127, AUROC=0.95, Pseudo-R2=0.74). SS demonstrated higher correlation with spleen bipolar diameter and spleen surface (r=0.52/0.55) if compared to LS (r=0.30/0.25) - and with platelet count as well (r=0.67 vs r=0.4).

CONCLUSION

SS showed significantly higher performance than other parameters, proving to be the best non-invasive test in the screening of EVs: by directly applying SS cut-off of 31kPa, our department could have safely avoided endoscopy in 36% of patients. Despite cut-off analyses, it was possible to create a probability model that could further stratify low-risk from high-risk patients (for any grade of EVs).

Spleen and Liver Stiffness for Predicting High-Risk Varices in Patients with Compensated Liver Cirrhosis

The study evaluates the utility of spleen (SS) and liver stiffness (LS) associated with spleen size (SSZ) as non-invasive markers for predicting high-risk varices (HRV). One hundred thirty-two patients with compensated liver cirrhosis who underwent abdominal ultrasound SS (SSM) and LS measurements (LSM) using a 2-D shear wave elastography (2-D-SWE) technique from General Electric and upper endoscopy were included. Similar rates of reliable SSM and LSM were obtained (95.4% and 97.7% respectively); therefore, 124 patients were included in the final analysis. The optimal cutoff values for SS, LS and SSZ for predicting HRV were 13.2 kPa (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.84), 12.1 kPa (AUROC = 0.86) and 12.9 cm (AUROC = 0.71), respectively. Including these factors in multiple regression analysis, we obtained the scores for predicting HRV: 0.053 × SS + 0.054 × LS + 0.059 × SSZ - 1.84. The score's optimal cutoff value for predicting HRV was >0.34 (AUROC = 0.93). By comparing the AUROC's, the score including SSZ, SSM and LSM performed better than each independent factor for predicting HRV (p = 0.0091; p = 0.0341; p < 0.0001).

Spleen stiffness by 2-D shear wave elastography is the most accurate predictor of high-risk esophagogastric varices in children with biliary atresia

AIM

Esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage is a cause of poor prognosis in patients with biliary atresia (BA). To prevent variceal hemorrhage, simple and reliable screening methods for high-risk esophagogastric varices (HR-EGV) are needed. We evaluated the efficacy of liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffness (SS) as measured by 2-D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), which was reported to be more accurate than transient elastography, for detecting HR-EGV in children with BA.

METHODS

Thirty-four children with BA were enrolled. Both LS and SS were measured by 2D-SWE. The presence of large esophageal varices or esophageal varices of any size with red wale marking and/or the presence of gastric varices along the cardia were defined as HR-EGV. Clinical data were collected and previously reported prediction indices for varices were calculated.

RESULTS

Liver stiffness and SS were obtained from all patients. Fourteen patients showed HR-EGV. Significantly different variables between patients with and without HR-EGV were as follows: spleen diameter (116 mm vs. 95 mm), clinical prediction rule (104.7 vs. 124.7), King's variceal prediction score (78.8 vs. 99.4), aspartic aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (2.03 vs. 0.98), LS (2.63 m/s vs. 1.87 m/s), and SS (4.44 m/s vs. 3.69 m/s). The highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting HR-EGV was that for SS (0.900), and the cut-off SS of 4.12 m/s yielded 92.9% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The intraclass correlation coefficient for intra-observer reproducibility was 0.828.

CONCLUSIONS

Spleen stiffness from 2D-SWE offered the most accurate predictor of HR-EGV in BA children.