Diagnostic performance of multidetector computed tomography in the evaluation of esoph

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluation of esophageal varices (EV). Patients and methods: 112 patients with liver cirrhosis were included, EV was evaluated for grades, presence of collateral, palisade vein dilatation and also patient acceptability. Results: The sensitivity of MDCT for radiologist A was 94.8%, specificity 98.5%, Accuracy 97.8%, PPV 94.8%, NPV 98.5% and for radiologist B, 99.4%, 99.6%, 99.6%, 99.3% and 99.7% respectively. MDCT detected para esophageal varices in 38 cases, gastric fundus varices in 47 cases and splenorenal collaterals were seen in 14 cases, palisade vein dilatation was +ve in 58 cases, −ve in 47 cases and (±) in 7 cases. 3 cases of HCC and 1 liver cyst were incidentally found during examination. There was a highly significant correlation between degree of palisade vein dilatation, increasing grade of esophageal varices and Red color sign with p value <0.01. MDCT was more accepted than endoscopy in 83%. The preference of CT was statistically significant p < 0.01. Conclusion: MDCT is a fast, well tolerable, non-invasive procedure and accepted from most of the examined patients for evaluation and grading of EV, detection of other portosystemic collaterals and hepatobiliary pathologies.