Multidetector computed tomography in esophageal varices

What is the role of CT scan in esophageal varices?
CT scanning is a minimally invasive method used to detect moderate to large esophageal varices and to evaluate the entire portal venous system.
CT scans also help in evaluating the liver, other venous collaterals, details of other surrounding anatomic structures, and the patency of the portal vein..
Superior endoscopy is the only way to diagnose esophageal varices and is obligatorily when a liver cirrhosis is diagnosticated, considering that esophageal varices are present in 60% of decompensated cirrhosis and 30% of patients with compensated liver cirrhosis [37].
Upper endoscopy — The most common way to detect varices is with a procedure known as upper endoscopy.
During this procedure, the person is sedated, and a clinician inserts a thin, lighted, flexible tube with a camera through the person's mouth to view the lining of the esophagus and stomach.

CT is highly sensitive as compared to upper GI endoscopy (sensitivity 93%) in detecting esophageal varices. Gastric varices detected by CT in 22 patients (37%) compared to 14 patients (23%) detected by endoscopy.

Liver multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), which is often performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening and surveillance of cirrhotic patients, provides good coverage of the distal esophagus and hence can also be useful for the diagnosis of esophageal varices [9].

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Multidetector computed tomography in esophageal varices

What is the role of CT scan in esophageal varices?