These are dilated submucosal veins working as collateral drainage due to blockage elsewhere. Varices may be uphill (lower oesophagus, seen...
These are dilated submucosal veins working as collateral drainage due to blockage elsewhere. Varices may be uphill (lower oesophagus, seen with portal hypertension or splenic/hepatic/portal vein obstruction) or downhill (either proximal or whole oesophagus, seen with e.g. SVC obstruction).
• Best seen with the patient prone.
• Dilated, smooth, serpiginous filling defects.
• Varicose carcinoma of the oesophagus is the differential.
CT
• Gastric varices are usually seen at the fundus/GOJ.
• If there are only gastric varices, check for a splenic vein thrombosis.
Oesophageal varices. Barium swallow demonstrating long serpiginous filling defects (white arrow).
- For Radiology Cases, Discussion join: Radiology Made Easy on Facebook
- Subscribe to our youtube channel for FRCR radiology case discussion
- Join our Telegram group: Radiology Made Easy
