Transient elastography for spleen stiffness measurement in patients with cirrhosis role in degree of thrombocytopenia

Cheng Hung Chien, Yi Lan Lin, Rong Nan Chien, Ching Chih Hu, Cho Li Yen, Tsung Shih Lee, Po Jen Hsieh, Chih Lang Lin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives-The purpose of our study was to evaluate the relationship between spleen stiffness measured by transient elastography and the degree of thrombocytopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods-A total of 67 patients with liver cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients underwent single-day hematologic and biochemical tests, sonography, and transient elastography of the liver and spleen. Thrombocytopenia was categorized as mild (platelet count, 75,000-150,000/μL), moderate (50,000-75,000/μL), and severe (<50,000/μL). Results-The degree of thrombocytopenia was significantly correlated with spleen stiffness (P = .001) and spleen size (P = .002) but not with liver stiffness (P = .086). In patients without splenomegaly, spleen stiffness values were significantly higher in patients with thrombocytopenia than in those without thrombocytopenia (P = .035). In patients with splenomegaly, spleen stiffness values were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe thrombocytopenia than in those with a normal platelet count or mild thrombocytopenia (P = .007). Compared to liver stiffness, spleen stiffness showed a better and statistically significant correlation with platelet count and spleen size in patients with cirrhosis. Conclusions-The degree of thrombocytopenia was directly correlated with spleen stiffness, irrespective of the presence of splenomegaly. The clinical phenomenon of unexpected thrombocytopenia may be explained by a subtle or irreversible change in spleen stiffness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1849-1857
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Volume35
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 09 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Keywords

  • Gastrointestinal ultrasound
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Liver stiffness
  • Spleen stiffness
  • Splenomegaly
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Transient elastography

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