Diffusion tensor imaging of the spleen in prediction and grading of esophageal varices in cirrhotic children with portal hypertension.

Purpose: To assess diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of spleen in prediction and grading of esophageal varices (OV) in cirrhotic children.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted upon 30 children with cirrhotic children with OV and 10 age-gender matched controls that underwent DTI of abdomen. Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of spleen were calculated and matched with the grading of OV at endoscopy and laboratory biomarkers of portal hypertension.