title: Calculation of esophageal variceal wall tension by ultrasonic microprobe and noninvasive pressure measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To calculate esophageal variceal wall tension by sonographic and noninvasive pressure measurements and to study the role of esophageal variceal wall tension in predicting the likelihood of esophageal variceal rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 28 patients with esophageal varices, a 20 MHz ultrasonographic transducer was used to image esophageal varices; the radius and wall thickness of the varices were calculated. Esophageal variceal pressure measurements were obtained noninvasively. The correlation between the esophageal wall tension and esophageal variceal pressure gradient were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a linear correlation between the esophageal wall tension and the variceal pressure gradient after curve fitting (r=0.87, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Esophageal variceal wall tension is an important parameter in predicting variceal rupture.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, 3rd Affiliated Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Saihong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xunyang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Feizhou
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wanping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nei
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Reizheng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lifeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Minshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shuping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography