Gastric Varices In Patients Research Articles

Leukaemia and nuclear installations.

<h3>Introduction</h3> Screening for varices with two yearly gastroscopy is recommended practise for all patients with liver cirrhosis. Prevalence of oesophageal or gastric varices in patients with liver cirrhosis varies in the literature from 30–70%. The Aim of this study was to analyse if the result of transient elastography (TE) can be used to predict the risk of developing gastric and/or oeosphageal varices in cirrhotic patients. We compared this data with endoscopic and radiological evidence of portal hypertension. <h3>Methods</h3> We analysed data of 807 patients who underwent TE examination at East Cheshire NHS Trust and identified 103 patients with suspected liver cirrhosis (liver stiffness score of &gt;12.5 kPa). The cut off F4 liver fibrosis/cirrhosis varies between 14.5 kPa to 18.2 kPa for different aetiologies of liver cirrhosis. We evaluated results of TE against upper GI endoscopy and abdominal ultrasound/CT. <h3>Results</h3> 26% of patients with F4 liver fibrosis/cirrhosis were found to have oesophageal/gastric varices at endoscopy. A total of 37% patients had evidence of portal hypertension on USS or CT. Only 41% of patients with splenomegaly were found to have oesophageal/gastric varices. 78% of those found to have varices had a liver stiffness score of &gt;25 KPa. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We postulate that TE helps us to stratify a patient’s risk of developing oesophageal/gastric varices, according to their liver stiffness score. The likelihood of developing oesophageal/gastric varcies increases with increased liver stiffness. Patients with liver stiffness scores lower than 25kPa may avoid unnecessary upper GI endoscopy. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared

Isolated Varices of the Gastric Fundus – Endoscopic Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment

Isolated gastric varices in patients with portal hypertension are a relatively rare source of bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopy is a very valuable method of diagnosis in such cases. The authors report their own observation of gastric varices, well documented with the endoscopic technique before and after surgery. Varices of the gastric fundus are always an indication to surgical management. On the basis of their own experiences made with 5 patients, the authors recommend a direct intervention in form of an extragastric suture or resection of the convolution of the varicose veins, in selected patients simultaneously complete with a portasystemic shunt.