Comparative assessment of shear wave elastography in patients with splenomegaly due to cirrhosis versus other etiologies

Abstract Background Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) offers a quantitative tissue stiffness assessment; however, research on its application in splenomegaly has largely focused on chronic liver disease, with limited exploration of other underlying causes and their differentiation. Objective This study aimed at comparing splenic shear-wave elastography findings in patients with splenomegaly based on cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic etiologies. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at radiology referral centers from September 2020 to September 2021. Eligible participants included patients with radiologically confirmed splenomegaly, while those with a history of splenic surgery were excluded. Standardized forms were used to collect demographic, clinical, and elastography data. Patients were stratified into two groups for comparative analysis based on splenomegaly etiology: cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic causes. Results The study included 72 participants, stratified into non-cirrhotic (n = 38, 52.8%) and cirrhotic (n = 34, 47.2%) groups. The mean age was 31.65 ± 10.23 years, with a male predominance (68.1%). Spleen size was significantly larger in the cirrhotic group (175.79 ± 35.10 mm vs. 162.26 ± 27.67 mm, p < 0.05). Mean spleen stiffness was 15.06 ± 2.62 kPa overall, with marginally higher values in the non-cirrhotic group (15.53 ± 2.37 kPa vs. 14.53 ± 2.80 kPa). The cirrhotic group exhibited a wider splenic vein diameter (10.35 ± 1.95 mm vs. 9.82 ± 1.37 mm) and higher maximum velocity (15.09 ± 2.82 cm/s vs. 14.05 ± 3.54 cm/s). However, SWE findings showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion Spleen stiffness assessed via SWE did not exhibit significant differences between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic individuals with splenomegaly.