Endoscopic injection sclerosis of oesophageal varices in children--indications and techniques

Endoscopic injection sclerosis (EIS) of oesophageal varices is a valuable alternative treatment of recurrent variceal haemorrhage in childhood, since derivative treatment is not always possible; the spontaneous regression of varices occurring in some cases could also be promoted by EIS. A modified technique using a specially designed silicone rubber tube around the pediatric-type fiberscope in order to compress the injected varix is described. Eight children aged between 15 months and 12 years were treated with this method and 2 to 4 varices were sclerosed at each procedure using the Olympus NM3K injector. A constant reduction of the volume of the treated varices was observed, and the risks of variceal bleeding diminished significantly.