THE EVALUTION OF CORRELATIONS BETWEEN THE INCIDENCE OF GALLSTONES IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS AND FINDINGS OF HYPERSPLENISM WITH THE SPLENIC ULTRASOUND ELASTOGRAPHY FINDINGS. Correlation of Gallstones with Elastography

Abstract

Background: Cirrhosis is often associated with hypersplenism and an increased incidence of gallbladder stones, contributing to complications and mortality in affected patients. Ultrasound elastography has emerged as a non-invasive tool for assessing tissue stiffness, including spleen stiffness, which may reflect the presence of hypersplenism. This study aims to explore the correlations between spleen stiffness measured by ultrasound elastography, hypersplenism, and gallbladder stone incidence in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: A total of 88 participants were included, consisting of healthy volunteers (n=28), patients with liver cirrhosis and signs of hypersplenism (LC+H, n=37), and patients with liver cirrhosis without hypersplenism (LC-H, n=23). Clinical and biochemical parameters were recorded, and ultrasound elastography was performed to assess spleen stiffness. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate correlations between spleen stiffness, hypersplenism, and gallbladder stone incidence.

Results: Hypersplenism was present in 61.7% of cirrhosis patients. Patients with hypersplenism showed lower hemoglobin and platelet values compared to those without hypersplenism. Gallbladder stones were more prevalent in patients with cirrhosis and hypersplenism (54%) compared to those without (26%). Spleen stiffness measured by elastography did not differ significantly between patient groups but showed a positive correlation with gallbladder stone frequency in the hypersplenism group.

Conclusion: Spleen stiffness measured by ultrasound elastography shows a positive correlation with gallbladder stone incidence in cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism. Early identification of increased spleen stiffness may aid in the early detection and management of gallstone-related complications in cirrhosis.