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Computed tomography findings in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Huber, A; Ebner, L; Montani, M; Semmo, N; Roy Choudhury, K; Heverhagen, J; Christe, A
Published in: Swiss Med Wkly
February 19, 2014

PRINCIPLES: Computed tomography (CT) is inferior to the fibroscan and laboratory testing in the noninvasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis. On the other hand, CT is a frequently used diagnostic tool in modern medicine. The auxiliary finding of clinically occult liver fibrosis in CT scans could result in an earlier diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyse quantifiable direct signs of liver remodelling in CT scans to depict liver fibrosis in a precirrhotic stage. METHODS: Retrospective review of 148 abdominal CT scans (80 liver cirrhosis, 35 precirrhotic fibrosis and 33 control patients). Fibrosis and cirrhosis were histologically proven. The diameters of the three main hepatic veins were measured 1-2 cm before their aperture into the inferior caval vein. The width of the caudate and the right hepatic lobe were divided, and measured horizontally at the level of the first bifurcation of the right portal vein in axial planes (caudate-right-lobe ratio). A combination of both (sum of liver vein diameters divided by the caudate-right lobe ratio) was defined as the ld/crl ratio. These metrics were analysed for the detection of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. RESULTS: An ld/crl-r <24 showed a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 76% for precirrhotic liver fibrosis. Liver cirrhosis could be detected with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 82% if ld/crl-r <20. CONCLUSION: An ld/crl-r <24 justifies laboratory testing and a fibroscan. This could bring forward the diagnosis and patients would profit from early treatment in a potentially reversible stage of disease.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Swiss Med Wkly

DOI

EISSN

1424-3997

Publication Date

February 19, 2014

Volume

144

Start / End Page

w13923

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Portal Vein
  • Organ Size
  • Middle Aged
  • Mathematical Concepts
  • Male
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Huber, A., Ebner, L., Montani, M., Semmo, N., Roy Choudhury, K., Heverhagen, J., & Christe, A. (2014). Computed tomography findings in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Swiss Med Wkly, 144, w13923. https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2014.13923
Huber, A., L. Ebner, M. Montani, N. Semmo, K. Roy Choudhury, J. Heverhagen, and A. Christe. “Computed tomography findings in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.Swiss Med Wkly 144 (February 19, 2014): w13923. https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2014.13923.
Huber A, Ebner L, Montani M, Semmo N, Roy Choudhury K, Heverhagen J, et al. Computed tomography findings in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Swiss Med Wkly. 2014 Feb 19;144:w13923.
Huber, A., et al. “Computed tomography findings in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.Swiss Med Wkly, vol. 144, Feb. 2014, p. w13923. Pubmed, doi:10.4414/smw.2014.13923.
Huber A, Ebner L, Montani M, Semmo N, Roy Choudhury K, Heverhagen J, Christe A. Computed tomography findings in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Swiss Med Wkly. 2014 Feb 19;144:w13923.

Published In

Swiss Med Wkly

DOI

EISSN

1424-3997

Publication Date

February 19, 2014

Volume

144

Start / End Page

w13923

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Portal Vein
  • Organ Size
  • Middle Aged
  • Mathematical Concepts
  • Male
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver