Changes in liver stiffness on real-time tissue elastography before and after occlusion of spontaneous portosystemic shunts

Abstract Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate changes in liver stiffness, volume, and function before and after occlusion of spontaneous portosystemic shunt. Materials & methods Twenty-four patients (13 men and 11 women) with a mean age of 68.2 years ± 10.1 (SD) (age range, 49–82 years) underwent percutaneous occlusion of spontaneous portosystemic shunt because of gastric varices ( n  = 17) or hepatic encephalopathy ( n  = 7) from March 2011 to June 2013. The liver fibrosis index indicating liver stiffness was calculated by using ultrasound elastography before and after shunt occlusion. Liver volume and liver profile were also evaluated. Results Spontaneous portosystemic shunt occlusion was uneventfully performed in all patients. The mean liver fibrosis index was significantly decreased from 2.7 ± 1.0 before shunt occlusion to 2.0 ± 0.9 ( P P  = 0.004), and 1.6 ± 0.7 at 6 months ( P  = 0.001) afterwards. A significant increase in the liver volume was observed from 1035.3 ± 340.1 mL before shunt occlusion to 1116.8 ± 298.4 mL ( P  = 0.006) at 1 month and 1174.2 ± 354.1 mL ( P P P  = 0.022), and 6 months (6.0 ± 0.9, P  = 0.004) after shunt occlusion as compared with that (7.2 ± 1.9) before. Conclusion The liver stiffness decreases along with an increase in liver volume and improvement in liver function after spontaneous portosystemic shunt occlusion.