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Esophageal varices are extremely dilated sub-mucosal veins in the lower third of the esophagus. [1] They are most often a consequence of portal hypertension, [2] commonly due to cirrhosis. [3] People with esophageal varices have a strong tendency to develop severe bleeding which left untreated can be fatal.
[1] [9] Sometimes in those with small amounts of bleeding no symptoms may be present. [1] Bleeding is typically divided into two main types: upper gastrointestinal bleeding and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. [2] Causes of upper GI bleeds include: peptic ulcer disease, esophageal varices due to liver cirrhosis and cancer, among others. [3]
Signs and symptoms of portal hypertension include: Abdominal swelling and tightness due to ascites, which is free fluid in the peritoneal cavity [1] Vomiting blood (hematemesis) from gastric or esophageal varices; Anorectal varices [8] Increased spleen size (splenomegaly), [1] which may lead to lower platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)
Patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy may experience bleeding from the stomach, which may uncommonly manifest itself in vomiting blood or melena; however, portal hypertension may cause several other more common sources of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as esophageal varices and gastric varices. On endoscopic evaluation of the ...
Esophageal varices and gastric varices result from collateral circulation in the esophagus and stomach (a process called portacaval anastomosis). [41] When the blood vessels in this circulation become enlarged, they are called varices. Varices are more likely to rupture at this point. [9] Variceal rupture often leads to severe bleeding, which ...
The esophageal veins drain blood from the esophagus to the azygos vein, in the thorax, and to the inferior thyroid vein in the neck. It also drains, although with less significance, to the hemiazygos vein, posterior intercostal vein and bronchial veins. [citation needed] In the abdomen, some drain to the left gastric vein which drains into the ...
This condition affects 14% of women with varicose veins or 20% of women who have had vaginal delivery and have leg varicose veins. [21] In addition, evidence suggests that failing to look for and treat pelvic vein reflux can be a cause of recurrent varicose veins.
Varices usually occur in the venous system, but may also occur in arterial or lymphatic vessels. [1] Examples of varices include: [citation needed] Varicose veins, large tortuous veins usually found on legs; Sublingual varices; Esophageal varices, commonly stemming from cirrhosis of the liver, also known as oesophageal varicose