Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42329528›Full record

ArticleInsights into imaging2026

Four-dimensional flow MRI for identifying high-risk esophageal varices: a comparison and combination with spleen volume and splenic extracellular volume fraction.

Xiaohuan Li, Yuhan Zhang, Zhiyuan Chen, Ke Wei, Yan Zhang, Xiying Zhao, Shuping Zhang, Ruhang Huang, Yupin Liu, Dongjing Zhou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Insights into imaging, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xiaohuan Li *The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Yuhan Zhang *The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Zhiyuan ChenThe Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Ke WeiDepartment of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Yan ZhangIntegrated Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Xiying ZhaoDepartment of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Shuping ZhangDepartment of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Ruhang HuangDepartment of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Yupin LiuDepartment of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Dongjing ZhouThe Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. zhoudong299@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1172-8681

Funding

Traditional Chinese medicine research project of Guangdong hospital of Chinese medicine ZY2022YL06
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of four-dimensional flow MRI alone and in combination with spleen volume and splenic extracellular volume fraction (ECV) for identifying high-risk esophageal variceal (HRV) in patients with liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND

methodsA total of 58 cirrhosis patients who underwent four-dimensional flow MRI and endoscopy were prospectively recruited and were divided into HRV group (n = 25) and non-HRV (NHRV) group (n = 33). The hemodynamic parameters of the portal vein (PV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and splenic vein (SV) derived from four-dimensional flow MRI for identifying HRV were analyzed and compared with spleen volume and splenic ECV. Then a combined model for identifying HRV was constructed by using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis with stepwise forward.

resultsThe peak velocity and maximum pressure gradient of the PV, SMV, and SV, as well as the total volume of the SMV, were significantly greater in the HRV group than in the NHRV group. The SV peak velocity had the highest AUROC for identifying HRV and was comparable to the spleen volume and splenic ECV. The combined model incorporating these three indicators showed superior performance with an AUC of 0.945, outperforming individual imaging indicators and other laboratory-based models.

conclusionFour-dimensional flow MRI is a valuable noninvasive technique for detecting HRV in cirrhosis patients. The combined model incorporating SV peak velocity, spleen volume, and splenic ECV provided an accurate prediction of HRV, which may help avoid unnecessary screening endoscopy. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The combined model incorporating spleen vein peak velocity derived by 4D flow MRI, spleen volume, and spleen ECV performed better than individual imaging indicators and laboratory-based models, which may help to avoid unnecessary screening endoscopy and aid in clinical decision-making. KEY POINTS: Noninvasive assessment of the risk of HRV in cirrhosis remains crucial but inadequate. Four-dimensional flow MRI can effectively identify HRV in patients with cirrhosis. Combining SV peak velocity, splenic volume, and ECV effectively identifies HRV.

Indexed as

Esophageal varicealExtracellular volume fractionFour-dimensional flow MRILiver cirrhosisSpleen volume

Identifiers

PMID42329528
PMCPMC13287174

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.