Bleeding from ectopic varices, which is rare in patients with portal hypertension, is generally massive and life-threatening. Forty-three patients were hospitalized in our ward for gastrointestinal bleeding from ectopic varices. The frequency of ectopic varices was 43/1218 (3.5%) among portal hypertensive patients in our ward. The locations of the ectopic varices were rectal in thirty-two, duodenal in three, intestinal in two, vesical in three, stomal in one, and colonic in two patients. Endoscopic or interventional radiologic treatment was performed successfully for ectopic varices. Hemorrhage from ectopic varices should be kept in mind in patients with portal hypertension presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

The results suggest that GAVE is related to severe liver damage and portal hypertension. APC has a high recurrence rate of GAVE in the medium term after treatment. EBL may be useful as a treatment for GAVE.

Endoscopic ultrasonographic evaluation of the hemodynamics in esophageal varices before and after EIS enables prediction of early variceal recurrence.

ECDUS is a useful modality for diagnosis of the hemodynamics of gastric varices and may allow the prediction of a high risk for hemorrhage.

Anemia was manageable by carefully adjusting the ribavirin dosage in the standard therapy that followed telaprevir monotherapy. This sequential regimen seems to be safer and more tolerable than the triple combination of telaprevir, peginterferon alpha, and ribavirin, especially among elderly females with low baseline hemoglobin.

Background and aims:The study’s aim was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) compared with endoscopic band ligation (EBL) in treating rectal varices.Methods:Data from 34 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic treatments for rectal varices were analyzed. The clinical outcomes, including complications, related to EIS or EBL retrospectively.Results:In 25 of the 34 patients, EIS was performed weekly 2–5 times (mean, 2.7), and the total amount of sclerosant ranged from 3.2 to 12.0 mL (mean, 5.2 mL). After EIS, colonoscopy revealed shrinkage of the rectal varices in all 25 patients, with no complications reported. In 9 of the 34 patients, EBL was performed weekly 1–3 times (mean, 2.2), and bands were placed on the varices at 2–12 sites (mean, 8.0). After EBL, colonoscopy revealed ulcers and shrinkage of the rectal varices in all nine patients, eight of whom experienced no operative complications. The overall recurrence rate for rectal varices was 10 of 24 (41.7%), including 5 of 9 (55.6%) receiving EBL and 5 of 15 (33.3%) receiving EIS, over a 1-year follow-up period (n = 24). All four patients with recurrence of bleeding were EBL cases, versus no EIS cases (P < 0.05).Conclusion:EIS appears superior to EBL with regard to effectiveness and complications after endoscopic treatment of rectal varices.

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The velocities of rectal varices were lower than those of esophageal varices. Evaluation of the hemodynamics of rectal varices is important for determining the appropriate therapeutic option. EIS is an effective therapy in cases of slow variceal flow. ECDUS is a necessary tool for effective and safe EIS for rectal varices.