J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2000 Mar;19(1):25-28.

Transabdominal Sonographic Findings of the Distal Esophagus in Esophageal Varices

• Ko YS
• Kim JY
• Ko MK
• Kim DH
• Byun JN
• Kim YS
• Kim YC
• Oh JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess transabdominal sonographic findings of the distal esophagus in the patients with esophageal varices.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Transabdominal sonography was performed on two groups which consisted of 42 normal subjects (25 males and 17 females, age : 20-65) and 45 cirrhotic patients (34 males and 11 females, age : 30-70) with esophageal varices. The thickness of the anterior wall of the distal esophagus (AWDE) was measured and the shape of its surface was observed. Then these findings were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
The mean thickness of the AWDE in the 42 normal subjects was 2.4 +/- 0.62mm (2-4mm), while that of the 45 cirrhotic patients was 6.0 +/- 1.27mm (3-10.5mm). Whereas the irregular surface of the AWDE was ob-served in 4 of the 42 normal subjects (9.5%), it was seen in 30 of the 45 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices (66.7%). When an AWDE having more than 5mm in thickness was used as a diagnostic criterion for the esophageal varices, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy was 89%, 100% and 94% respectively. When an ir-regular wall surface was used as a diagnostic standard, the results were 67%, 90% and 70% respectively.
CONCLUSION
In the cirrhotic patients, esophageal varix can be presumed with the reasons of thickening AWDE (more than 5mm) and irregularity of its surface in the transabdominal sonography.

MeSH Terms

Esophageal and Gastric Varices*
Esophagus*
Female
Humans
Male
Sensitivity and Specificity
Ultrasonography*