A new method to estimate the histological stage of primary biliary cholangitis

Objective To analyze the diagnostic efficacy of the periportal hypoechoic band (PHB) in the histological stage of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Methods We prospectively included 77 cases of PBC pathologically or clinically confirmed, and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) measurements of the PHB were performed in all included patients. Ludwig staging system of histopathology was used as the gold standard. Results The width of the PHB was positively correlated with histological staging ( r = 0.844, p < 0.001). By area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the best cutoff value for PHB for advanced stage (≥ stage 3) was 2.4 mm (AUROC: 0.934; 95%CI: 0.841–0.981) and 0.93 for sensitivity, and 0.91 for specificity, the concordance rates of PHB vs. liver biopsy was 90.3%. The correct rate for early-stage PBC was 87.9% and for the progressive stage was 93.1%. After multi-factor regression analysis, the PHB (OR = 1.331, CI = 1.105–1.603, p = 0.003) and total bilirubin (OR = 1.156, CI = 1.041–1.285, p = 0.007) were independent influencing factors for progressive PBC. Conclusions Measurement of the PHB to assess advanced PBC is a simple and effective method. This method may complement current methods for the histological staging assessment of patients with PBC. Registration Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR 2000032053, 2020/04/19. Clinical relevance statement The measurement of periportal hypoechoic band (PHB) provides a simple and easy assessment of the degree of disease progression in patients with PBC and provides an important clinical reference in predicting the histological staging of PBC from an ultrasound perspective. Key Points • The PHB is correlated with histological staging in the patient with PBC. • The area under the ROC curves of PHB for detecting advanced stage (≥ stage 3) were 0.934 and 0.93 for sensitivity, and 0.91 for specificity, the concordance rates of PHB vs. liver biopsy was 90.3%. The application of PHB can better assess the advanced PBC. • Measurement of the PHB to assess advanced PBC is a simple and effective method that can significantly reduce the need for liver biopsy.