Oesophageal varices - Definition

In medicine (gastroenterology), esophageal varices are extreme dilations of sub mucosal veins in the mucosa of the esophagus in diseases featuring portal hypertension, secondary to cirrhosis primarily.

patients with Esophageal varices have a strong tendency to develop bleeding.

diagnosis

• endoscopy

treatment

in emergency situations, the care is directed at stopping blood loss, and maintaining plasma volume.

• banding
• sclerotherapy

Also see

• gastric varices
• intestinal varices

other causes of GI bleeding

• Mallory-Weiss syndrome
• peptic ulcer