Correlation of Splenic Size and Portal Vein Diameter with Endoscopic Findings of Oesophageal Varices in Patients with Cirrhosis of Liver

Liver cirrhosis is prevalent in both developed and developing countries with variation in underlying causes. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out to assess the correlation of splenic size and portal vein diameter with the severity of oesophageal varices in 110 purposively selected patients of liver cirrhosis with suspected oesophageal varices attended at Radiology and Imaging department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during September 2014 to August 2016. Upper GIT endoscopy was performed to identify as well as for grading of oesophageal varices. Ultrasonography was carried out to measure size of spleen and portal vein diameter. Out of 110, 94(85.5%) patients had oesophageal varices. Of them, 36(38.2%) patients had grade III, while 29(30.9%) each had grade II and grade I oesophageal varices. The mean portal vein diameter was 13.8 mm with a standard deviation of 2.8 mm, whereas mean splenic size was 13.7 cm with a standard deviation of 2.4 cm. The mean portal vein diameter was found 13.0±2.4 mm in grade I, while 13.9±1.5 mm in grade II and 15.3±3.0 mm in grade III varices with a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference. There was a statically significant moderately positive correlation (r=0.520; p=0.001) between oesophageal varices and portal vein diameter. The mean splenic size was found 13.5±2.2 cm in grade I, while 14.0±2.0 cm in grade II and 14.6±2.4 cm in grade III varices which was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was a moderately positive but statistical insignificant correlation (r=0.348; p=0.110) between oesophageal varices and splenic size. Transabdominal ultrasonography is useful diagnostic modality in the evaluation of severity of oesophageal varices by measuring portal vein diameter and spleen size. It can be used as a reliable and noninvasive screening tool in patients with suspected portal hypertension due to cirrhosis that help in appropriate management in majority of cases.