Spleen Stiffness Measurements Aid Portal Hypertension Diagnosis in MPN Patients

⁣ ‍Updated June 07, 2025
⁤ ⁣

Measuring spleen stiffness could enhance the diagnosis of portal hypertension in individuals with BCR::ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Research published in Liver International suggests this noninvasive method ⁤may help identify a common MPN complication.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis ⁣(SVT) frequently ‍occurs in BCR::ABL1-negative MPN patients and can increase mortality if untreated, according to Dr. Maria-Theresa krauth of the Medical University of Vienna, and colleagues. Thay noted that BCR::ALB1-negative MPNs⁣ are the most common cause of⁣ non-cirrhotic/non-malignant⁣ SVT.

While splenomegaly is common in BCR::ABL1-negative MPN patients, evaluating underlying portal hypertension lacks standardization, the authors noted. Vibration-controlled transient elastography⁢ (VCTE) is effective for diagnosing portal hypertension in chronic liver disease and might be useful in MPN patients.

The researchers ⁣conducted a retrospective ⁢study⁣ of 55 patients with⁢ BCR::ABL1-negative MPNs⁢ treated at the Medical University of Vienna between October ⁤2023 and september 2024. The ‍study⁣ aimed to determine if spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) could improve portal hypertension diagnosis⁣ in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

The⁢ study ⁢found‍ that 69% of⁤ the patients where female.The most‍ common MPNs were polycythemia vera (40%), essential thrombocythemia (36.4%), and⁣ primary myelofibrosis (20%). The average age was 57.9 years. A quarter of patients (26%) had splanchnic vein thrombi, and more than half (52.7%) showed nonspecific signs of portal hypertension.

The authors emphasized the need for multidisciplinary management, as these numbers are high compared to existing literature. They also found that SSM correlated with disease severity and effectively distinguished between patients with and without portal ⁤hypertension. Spleen stiffness measurement‍ (SSM) was strongly linked ⁣to splenomegaly and provided autonomous data about portal hypertension.

The study found⁢ that sequentially liver ⁣stiffness measurement (LSM) and‍ SSM helped reduce the diagnostic “gray zone.”

“While SSM yielded the best discrimination regarding portal hypertension,the sequential request⁢ of already established,easy-to-remember LSM and‍ SSM cut-offs can adequately rule in/rule out portal hypertension in the ⁣majority of patients,” the researchers wrote.

The study’s limitations include its retrospective design and small sample size. The researchers also noted that while LSM and SSM are user-kind, VCTE might not be⁣ universally available.

What’s next

Future research with larger, prospective studies is needed to validate⁢ these findings and further refine⁢ the use ⁣of spleen stiffness measurements in managing portal hypertension in MPN patients.An interdisciplinary approach involving hematology and hepatology may optimize patient care.