Application of combining oral ultrasonic contrast agent and SonoVue enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of esophageal gastric varices

Objective To explore the application value of combining oral ultrasonic contrast agent with SonoVue to enhance ultrasonography for the diagnosis of esophageal gastric varices. Methods Twenty-eight patients with esophageal gastric varices were enrolled as observation group,twenty-two healthy volunteers were taken as control group. The thickness of the lower esophageal bilayer mucosa and submucosa,gastric wall veins and surrounding veins were observed by double contrast-enhanced ultrasound(DCUS). Results ①The sensitivity and specificity of DCUS for the diagnosis of esophageal gastric varices were 89.7%and 95.2%,respectively. ②In the observation group,the thickness of the lower esophageal bilayer mucosa in patients with mildmoderate esophageal gastric varices was(5.82±0.56)mm,and(8.31±0.42)mm in patients with severe esophageal gastric varices,which were both bigger than that in the control group(2.80±0.70)mm(P﹤0.01).Conclusion DCUS is highly sensitive and specific for diagnosis of esophageal gastric varices,and it might be a new screening tool.