[A retrospective analysis of ectopic varices in gastrointestinal tract diagnosed by endoscopy]

To understand the incidence, causes, clinical manifestations and treatment of ectopic varices (EV) in gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

GI endoscopic examinations were carried out in 99 783 patients from January 2004 to October 2012 in General Hospital of PLA. Sixty-four cases of ectopic varices in GI tract were discovered. The clinical manifestations of EV patients and treatment were analyzed retrospectively. The literatures of EV were reviewed.

The prevalence of EV in GI was 0.06% (64/99 783) in all patients undergoing endoscopic examinations, including 5 in the gastric antrum, 37 in the duodenum, 2 in the colon, 17 in the rectum, 1 in terminal ileum as well as whole colorectum, and 2 in the anastomotic stomas. The causes of EV included portal hypertension with cirrhosis in 52 cases (42 of hepatitis as dominant, 5 of alcoholic, 3 of biliary). Twenty-five cases had past history of endoscopic sclerotherapy, tissue adhesive injection or band ligation.Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction was seen in 4 cases (1 with pancreatic cancer, gastric cardia after surgery, pancreatic cancer after surgery, small intestine after partial hepatectomy respectively) and 8 cases uncertain. Nine cases accepted endoscopic tissue adhesive injection (no post-operative hemorrhage occurred in 9 cases and EV disappeared in 3 cases). Endoscopic band ligation was performed only for one patient.

EV in GI tract is a rare condition, which occurs commonly in duodenum, colon, and rectum. Portal hypertension is the most common cause. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is the main clinical manifestation. EV should be considered in GI bleeding, with gastroesophageal varices hemorrhage excluded. Endoscopic adhesive injection is an effective way to treat EV.