Gall bladder Wall Thickness as Non-invasive Predictor of Oesophageal Varices in Cirrhotic Patients

Abstract

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is considered the gold standard in the diagnosis of oesophageal varices OV and the recommended investigation for screening all cirrhotic patients for the presence of OV. Endoscopic screening of patients with liver cirrhosis adds a major burden to patients and also to endoscopic units. Non-invasive detection of OV helps to decrease the necessity of endoscopy as a screening method. Aim of the study: To assess the usage of the measurement of noninflammatory gall bladder wall thickness (GBWT) as a noninvasive predictor of the presence and size of OV and also to compare it with platelet count to splenic diameter. Patients and Methods: the current study was a cross-sectional study performed on 100 cirrhotic patients who attended the hepatology and gastroenterology unit of the Internal Medicine department,