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Esophageal function after sclerotherapy of bleeding varices
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Sclerotherapy for esophageal varices may impair esophageal motility and transport function. This can potentially lead to dysphagia and esophagitis in patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Esophageal Motility Disorders
- Endoscopic Therapy
Background:
- Esophageal varices are a serious complication of portal hypertension.
- Sclerotherapy is a common treatment for esophageal varices.
- The long-term effects of sclerotherapy on esophageal function are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of sclerotherapy on esophageal motility and function.
- To compare esophageal function in patients treated with sclerotherapy to healthy volunteers.
Main Methods:
- Esophageal manometry was used to record tubular esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) motility in 19 patients post-sclerotherapy and 15 healthy controls.
- Esophageal functional scintigraphy (EFS) was performed in the patient group.
Main Results:
- Patients showed significantly lower distal esophageal contraction amplitudes and a higher percentage of non-propulsive contractions (NPC) in the distal and mid-esophagus compared to controls.
- A negative correlation was observed between NPC percentage and radionuclide transit.
- A slightly lower LES tone was noted in patients, and three patients had a positive reflux index on EFS.
Conclusions:
- Sclerotherapy for esophageal varices may result in reduced peristaltic esophageal motility.
- Impaired esophageal transport function following sclerotherapy could contribute to dysphagia or esophagitis.