Computed tomography vs liver stiffness measurement and magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Figure 1 Flow chart of the search and selection of articles. A: Flow chart of the search and selection of articles about liver stiffness measurement; B: Flow chart of the search and selection of articles about computed tomography; C: Flow chart of the search and selection of articles about magnetic resonance imaging.

Figure 2 Methodological evaluation according to Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 of the included articles. A, C, and E: Diagnosis of esophageal varices using liver stiffness measurement, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively; B, D, and F: Prediction of high-bleeding-risk esophageal varices using liver stiffness measurement, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Articles were identified as having a potential bias risk for patient selection and index text.

Figure 3 Summary receiver operating characteristic curves. A and B: Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves of liver stiffness measurement, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) and prediction of high-bleeding-risk EV (HREV); C and D: SROC curves of liver stiffness measurement for the diagnosis of EV and prediction of HREV; E and F: SROC curves of computed tomography for the diagnosis of EV and prediction of HREV; G and H: SROC curves of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of EV and prediction of HREV.

Figure 4 Summary sensitivity and specificity of liver stiffness measurement. A and B: Summary sensitivity and specificity of liver stiffness measurement for the diagnosis of esophageal varices; C and D: Summary sensitivity and specificity of liver stiffness measurement for the prediction of high-bleeding-risk esophageal varices.

Figure 5 Summary sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography imaging. A and B: Summary sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography for the diagnosis of esophageal varices; C and D: Summary sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography imaging for the prediction of high-bleeding-risk esophageal varices.

Figure 6 Summary sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging. A and B: Summary sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of esophageal varices; C and D: Summary sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging for the prediction of high-bleeding-risk esophageal varices.