Can Follow-up Sclerotherapy for Oesophageal Varices be Improved? Early Results of a New Technique

Summary

To help correctly identify varices as patent or thrombosed during follow-up sclerotherapy, a simple pressure device has been used to obtain intravariceal pressure. A high pressure denotes thrombosis and a low pressure (< 50 mmHg) denotes patency. In 217 variceal assessments, conventional and pressure assessments agreed in 179 (82 %). Over the 7 month study, a significant improvement was noted in correctly diagnosing thrombosed varices (p < 0.01). No ulcers, bleeding or complications occurred. Pressure assessment of varices is simple and avoided 38 (18 %) incorrect diagnoses and their consequences.

Key words:

Oesophageal varices - Sclerosing injections - Endoscopy - Pressure