GASTROINTESTINAL AND ABDOMINAL RADIOLOGY / ORIGINAL PAPER
The efficacy of magnetic resonance elastography in predicting esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis
1
Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
2
Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
3
Gaziantep City Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
Submission date: 2025-04-13
Final revision date: 2025-06-30
Acceptance date: 2025-07-13
Publication date: 2025-10-13
Corresponding author
Pol J Radiol, 2025; 90: 498-504
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
To determine the efficacy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in predicting the presence and the severity of oesophageal varices in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).
Material and methods:
This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 165 consecutive adult patients with CLD were examined with multiparametric liver magnetic resonance imaging, including MRE. Among them, 57 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was performed with MRE.
Results:
Forty-two patients had oesophageal varices, 31 of which were endoscopically grade 2 or 3. The median LSM was 4.8 kPa in patients with oesophageal varices, whereas it was 3.2 kPa in patients without varices (p < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between LSMs and the presence of oesophageal varices (p = 0.016). When the threshold stiffness value was set as 4 kPa, the area under the ROC curve, the sensitivity, and the specificity of MRE in predicting oesophageal varices were 0.80, 69%, and 73%, respectively. Sensitivity was 81% for predicting high-risk varices. Multivariable logistic regression showed that LSMs by MRE and high Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index scores were predictors of oesophageal varices in patients.
Conclusions:
As a non-invasive method, MRE can predict the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with CLD.
To determine the efficacy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in predicting the presence and the severity of oesophageal varices in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).
Material and methods:
This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 165 consecutive adult patients with CLD were examined with multiparametric liver magnetic resonance imaging, including MRE. Among them, 57 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was performed with MRE.
Results:
Forty-two patients had oesophageal varices, 31 of which were endoscopically grade 2 or 3. The median LSM was 4.8 kPa in patients with oesophageal varices, whereas it was 3.2 kPa in patients without varices (p < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between LSMs and the presence of oesophageal varices (p = 0.016). When the threshold stiffness value was set as 4 kPa, the area under the ROC curve, the sensitivity, and the specificity of MRE in predicting oesophageal varices were 0.80, 69%, and 73%, respectively. Sensitivity was 81% for predicting high-risk varices. Multivariable logistic regression showed that LSMs by MRE and high Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index scores were predictors of oesophageal varices in patients.
Conclusions:
As a non-invasive method, MRE can predict the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with CLD.
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