确诊肝硬化后建议通过食管胃十二指肠镜 (OGD) 检查评估胃食管胃底静脉曲张,以便采取出血预防措施。由于大约50%的肝硬化患者存在食管胃底静脉曲张,因此很多患者的内镜检查结果为阴性。[30]Pagliaro L, Damico G, Pasta L, et al. Portal hypertension in cirrhosis: natural history. In: Bosch J, Groszman RJ, eds. Portal hypertension. Pathophysiology and treatment. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific; 1994:72-92.
由于弹性成像、脾脏大小、门静脉直径和血小板计数等非侵入性检查预测食管胃底静脉曲张的准确性欠佳,内镜目前被推荐为最佳筛查工具。[4]Garcia-Tsao G, Sanyal AJ, Grace ND, et al. Prevention and management of gastroesophageal varices and variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis. Hepatology. 2007;46:922-938.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17879356?tool=bestpractice.com如果内镜检查不可能,胶囊内窥镜检查可能是有效方法。[25]McCarty TR, Afinogenova Y, Njei B. Use of wireless capsule endoscopy for the diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2016 Aug 19 [Epub ahead of print].http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27548729?tool=bestpractice.com然而累积的证据表明,肝和/或脾的硬度测量,或者综合评分可以确诊临床显著的门静脉高压症患者。这些指标合适的临界值可以准确的排除内镜检查阴性的患者,其似然比<0.10。[19]Berzigotti A, Seijo S, Arena U, et al. Elastography, spleen size, and platelet count identify portal hypertension in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Gastroenterology. 2013;144:102-111.e1.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23058320?tool=bestpractice.com[20]Colecchia A, Montrone L, Scaioli E, et al. Measurement of spleen stiffness to evaluate portal hypertension and the presence of esophageal varices in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis. Gastroenterology. 2012;143:646-654.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22643348?tool=bestpractice.com[21]Takuma Y, Nouso K, Morimoto Y, et al. Measurement of spleen stiffness by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging identifies cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices. Gastroenterology. 2013;144:92-101.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23022955?tool=bestpractice.com在肝硬度<20 kPa 并且血小板计数>150,000 的患者中,可以在保证安全的情况下省去内窥镜检查,因为他们存在需要治疗的静脉曲张的风险低 (5%)。[27]de Franchis R; Baveno VI Faculty. Expanding consensus in portal hypertension: report of the Baveno VI consensus workshop: stratifying risk and individualizing care for portal hypertension. J Hepatol. 2015;63:743-752.http://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278%2815%2900349-9/fulltexthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26047908?tool=bestpractice.com可以通过瞬时弹性图和血小板计数每年随访这些患者;如果肝硬度增加或血小板计数下降,应当进行内窥镜筛查。