Narrow band endoscopic diagnosis of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic patients

ABSTRACT Background Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is an overlooked complication of liver cirrhosis, as it is a source of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and cause of chronic blood loss. Objective To assess the role of narrow band endoscopy in the diagnosis of PHG in cirrhotic patients. Methods Fifty patients with liver cirrhosis were examined by both conventional White Light Endoscopy (WLE) and Narrow Band Technology Variable Intelligent Staining Technology (VIST) using Sonoscape endoscope HD500. Biopsies were taken from the body of gastric mucosa during endoscopy. Results The prevalence of PHG among patients with liver cirrhosis is around 94% by WLE, 92% by VIST, and 55.3% by pathology. There is no statistical significance between VIST and WLE in case of PHG p = 0,750. The risk of developing oesophageal varices grade 3 in severe PHG is higher than in no or mild PHG (OR = 6.8571, 95% CI 1.6270 to 28.9001, p = 0.0087). Conclusion VIST is comparable and complementary to WLE in diagnosis of PHG. There is poor correlation between pathology and WLE in diagnosis of PHG.