Table of Contents
How do you treat stomach varices?
In general, GV bleeding can be managed by therapies that reduce portal pressure (β-blockers, shunt surgery, and TIPS) or those that directly target the gastric varix (endoscopic injection therapy, endoscopic band ligation, thrombogenic agent [N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate] injection, and BRTO).
What is a BRTO procedure?
The BRTO procedure is an endovascular technique that causes occlusion of outflow portosystemic shunt, such as a gastrorenal shunt, using an occlusion balloon followed by the endovascular injection of a sclerosing agent directly into the gastro-variceal system/complex.
What causes gastric varices?
Varices are large swollen veins in the esophagus or stomach. High pressure in the portal veins or portal hypertension is a primary cause for this condition, and it is found in 50% of liver cirrhosis patients. Gastric varices can typically be differentiated into cardiac or fundic depending on their location.
Can gastric varices heal?
A balloon catheter is inserted into the vein. The gastric varices is distinguished and drained through venography. Then the vein is embolized and a sclerosant is flushed to remove all varices. It is a successful and widely accepted treatment.
What is BRTO for varices?
BRTO is a minimally invasive technique that is used to treat gastric variceal bleeding. The procedure involves blocking the dilated vessels, reducing the risk of rupture. It can be used in addition to or as an alternative to TIPS, which is the primary treatment for gastric varices.
How many times can varices be banded?
Variceal banding can be done several times to control enlarged varices and prevent bleeding. Your doctor may recommend repeated banding every two to four weeks for three or four sessions. Banded varices require monitoring, so you will need to schedule visits to your doctor anywhere from one to four times per year.
What is esophageal transection?
Esophageal transection (ET) refers to the disintegration of the esophageal mucosa and submucosa layers. This disease affects a long segment and is not accompanied by perforation. Esophageal transection is a rare disease (1).