[Endoscopic demonstration and importance of proximal esophageal varices]

Proximal varicose veins of the oesophagus are endoscopically not so rarely found, when one seeks for them intensively. In altogether 2,041 endoscopies of the upper digestive tract they appeared 22 times in the course of 1 year. As cause are reported condition after resection of the struma, struma, bronchial carcinoma, mediastinal fibrosis and thrombosis of the subclavian artery. Among our patients dominated resection of the struma and struma. The proof of proximal varicose veins of the oesophagus should be a hint for seeking for all possible cause. In the intestinal haemorrhages they should be included in the differential diagnosis.