Evaluation of spleen stiffness in healthy population: a vibration-controlled transient elastography study

Abstract

Aim: Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is an accurate technique that has an increasing use. In recent years, VCTE was started to use in predicting spleen stiffness (SS). Portal vein pressure and flow have an impact on SS and in previous studies it was used to predict portal hypertension, esophageal varices. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the SS measurements in healthy population and its correlation with age, sex, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), continued attenuation parameter (CAP) and body mass index (BMI). Material and Method: We enrolled healthy volunteers who were agreed to participate to the study and collected age, sex, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index before the VCTE procedure. Liver and spleen elastography were performed to all patients by VCTE. Results: A total of 97 participants were enrolled to the study, 15 patients were excluded and 82 patients included for the final analysis. There was no significant difference in SS, liver stiffness measurement LSM, CAP and BMI between females and males. There was no correlation between age and SS. There was a weak correlation between SS and LSM, SS and CAP and no correlation was found between SS and BMI. Conclusions: SS had a weak correlation with LSM and CAP but not with BMI, age and sex. There is no extra-large probe use in SS measurement and it was a challenge in participants with increased submucosal fat thickness. Multiple and repeatable studies needed to set an accurate cut-off point and evaluate the factors that impact on SS in healthy individuals.

Keywords

• Liver stiffness
• Spleen stiffness
• Vibration-controlled transient elastography

References

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