[Classification of esophageal varices - endoscopic and clinical aspects (author's transl)]

Endoscopic demonstration of esophageal varices in a diagnostic procedure with high precision, with almost no complications, and which does not impose too much inconveniences to the patient. The extent of the varices may be classified according to different criteria; thus in practice different systems of classification have evolved. Though there is no clearcut correlation between the extent of varicosis and hemodynamic parameters of portal hypertension it nevertheless can be stated, that esophageal bleeding is associated quite regularly with advanced esophageal varicosis. Of 136 patients with cirrhosis of the liver 71 had esophageal varicosis stage III and IV, as judged by endoscopy; these 71 cases constituted approximately 90% of the cases, which had had previous esophageal bleeding; 65 patients had varices stage I and II, constituting 80% of the patients, which had had no previous esophageal bleeding. thus classification of varicosis seems to allow identification of patients prone to bleeding, and might allow prophylaxis as for instance injection sclerotherapy.