Diagnostic Accuracy of Splenoportal Index for Detection of Esophageal Varices in Patients of Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: To determine the diagnostic accuracy
of splenoportal index for the prediction of
esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis
Methods: In this cross sectional study patients(n=
75) having clinical and laboratory evidence of liver
cirrhosis were selected. Sonographic findings of
splenic index and portal vein velocity were
correlated with the findings of endoscopic
examination. P-value ≤ 0.05 considered as
significant. Results were analyzed by creating 2 x 2
contingency tables which displayed the number of
subjects who were positive on ultrasound and were
also positive on endoscopy (true positives), who
were ultrasound positive but were negative on
endoscopy (false positives), who were ultrasound
negatives but were positive on endoscopy (false
negatives) and who were ultrasound negative and
were also negatives on endoscopy (true negatives).
Results: Majority ( 65.0%) patients were males.
Patients positive on ultrasound were 70.7 % and
patients positive on endoscopy were 72.0% .
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value,
negative predictive value and accuracy were found to
be 96.3%, 95.2%, 98.1%, 90.9% and 96% respectively.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography allows non-invasive
and cost effective detection of esophageal varices in
liver cirrhosis patients, with excellent accuracy.