By-pass Marker for detecting Esophageal Varices in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

This study was designed to make a relation between gall bladder wall thickening (GBWT) measured by ultrasonography and esophageal varices (EV) measured byupper gastrointestinal endoscopy in chronic liver disease patients. Itwas cross- sectional descriptive study. 50 cases ofChronic Liver Disease were recruited. GBWT was measured by ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done for assessment of the presence and grade of EV in all cases. Among 50 cases, 34 (68%) were male and 16(32%) were female. Mean age (±SD) of the study population was 46.7 (±13.28) years of age. Esophageal varices were found in 42(84%) cases and 8(16%) cases had no varix. Among 42 cases of esophageal varices 9 cases had grade-I, 17 cases had grade-II and 16 cases had Grade-III esophageal varices. Gall bladder wall thickness up to 3mm was considered as normal. In this study GBWT value between (1-3) mm8 cases had no EV GBWT value between (3.1-5.9) mm ,10 cases had EV(9 cases had grade 1 and 1 case had grade 11 EV); GBWT value between (6-8.9) mm, 16 cases had grade 11 EV and GBWT value between (9-12) mm 16 cases had grade 111 EV. A significant statistical correlation was found between the level of GBWT and EV (P<0.001) and also between mean GBWT and EV (P<0.001). This study shows that the presence of EV is directly related to the level of GBWT and there is also association with the grade of EV and level of GBWT. This finding will permit the use of GBWT as a preliminary indirect parameter that will predict the presence EV. It can help clinicians in determining the urgency of care, especially where endoscopy facilities are not available.

TAJ 2015; 28(2): 15-21