Mar 18 2024First Hospital of Jilin University Portal hypertension is a severe complication of chronic liver disease, like cirrhosis, where increased pressure builds up in the portal vein. This major blood vessel drains blood from the intestines, spleen, and stomach to the liver. This can lead to life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and liver failure.
Researchers are excited about a new, noninvasive technique called spleen stiffness measurement , which uses sound waves to assess the stiffness of the spleen. The spleen is an organ located near the stomach that filters blood and fights infection. When PHT is present, the spleen becomes enlarged and stiffer. SSM uses a painless technique similar to an ultrasound to measure these changes in stiffness.
The benefits of a non-invasive test like SSM are numerous. First, it would eliminate the need for invasive procedures in many patients, making diagnosis safer and more comfortable. Second, SSM could be used to screen patients with chronic liver disease for PHT at an earlier stage, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially preventing complications. Third, SSM could be a valuable tool for monitoring how well treatments for PHT are working.