5-Minute Clinical Consult: Esophageal Varices

Esophageal Varices

Etiology

Portal Hypertension is defined as a pressure gradient >10 mmHg.
Cirrhosis accounts for >90% of cases. Alcohol and hepatitis C are the most common etiologies.
Hemochromatosis, hepatitis B, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune cirrhosis account for remainder. Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis from umbilical vein infection, trauma, chronic pancreatitis, thrombotic conditions, and polycythemia.
Malignant invasion of liver sinusoids or portal vein; seen in lymphoma, leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma.
Metabolic diseases altering liver sinusoids—amyloid, Gaucher disease, fatty liver
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Veno-occlusive disease

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