Perforation after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for bleeding gastric varices

New sights in ectopic varices in portal hypertension

Ectopic varices and associated bleeding, although rare, pose a significant risk to patients with portal hypertension, carrying a relatively high mortality rate. These varices can occur in various anatomical regions, excluding the gastroesophageal region, which is typically associated with portal vein drainage. The limited data available in the literature, derived mostly from case reports and series, make the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic variceal bleeding particularly challenging. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that ectopic varices in different sites can exhibit variations in key decision-making factors such as aetiology and vascular anatomy, severity and bleeding risk and hepatic reserve. These factors significantly influence treatment strategies and underscore the importance of adopting individualized management approaches. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental knowledge surrounding ectopic varices and to propose site-oriented, stepwise diagnosis and treatment algorithms for this complex clinical issue. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is strongly recommended in managing ectopic varices. In addition, to enhance clinical reference, we have included typical case reports of ectopic varices in various sites in our review, while being mindful of potential publication bias.

Effect of endoscopic injection therapy with combined cyanoacrylate and lipiodol for bleeding gastric varices: A single center experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic injection therapy with combined cyanoacrylate and lipiodol for bleeding gastric fundal varices.

METHODS

The medical records of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients who underwent at least one episode of endoscopic application of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate-lipiodol mixture for gastric varices at our gastroenterology clinic between October 2004 and January 2010 were reviewed. The technique comprised the dilution of 0.5 mL of cyanoacrylate with 0.5 mL of lipiodol and repeating intravariceal injections of 1.0 mL each until hemostasis was achieved.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients (41 male and 25 female) with gastric varices underwent 86 endoscopic injections of cyanoacrylate for hemostasis. Overall 38 patients (57.6%) had active bleeding during the endoscopic procedure, while the remaining 28 (42.4%) underwent cyanoacrylate under elective conditions. In one patient (1.5%) hemostasis could not be achieved, prompting referral for emergency surgery. The median number of sessions was one (range 1-3). Eleven patients (16.6%) rebled during a median follow-up period of 6.02 months (0.1-62.4 months). There was no bleeding-related death. One patient developed splenic infarction a day after N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic injection therapy combining cyanoacrylate and lipiodol is effective for bleeding gastric fundal varices.

EUS-guided injection of cyanoacrylate in perforating feeding veins in gastric varices: results in 5 cases

BACKGROUND

Bleeding from gastric varices can be challenging because of its high mortality and recurrent bleeding rates. Endoscopic therapy with tissue adhesives can control acute hemorrhage, but recurrent bleeding could appear if obliteration is not achieved, and endoscopic vision could be troublesome in the case of massive hemorrhage. The glue injected could be responsible for embolic phenomena and local complications. EUS has proved useful in minimizing the risk of recurrent bleeding from gastric varices, accurately showing if they are obturated or not. The presence of perforating veins detected by EUS has been reported as a risk factor for recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of EUS-guided cyanoacrylate injection in gastric varices at the entrance of the perforating veins to obtain variceal obturation.

DESIGN

Open-basis case series study.

SETTING

Tertiary care, academic medical center, Seville, Spain.

PATIENTS

Five consecutive patients with gastric varices were enrolled from May 2005 through May 2006.

INTERVENTIONS

We injected cyanoacrylate-lipiodol in gastric varices with 22-gauge needles by EUS guidance.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

To analyze the obliteration of gastric varices, the recurrent bleeding rate, and safety of EUS-guided cyanoacrylate-lipiodol injection.

RESULTS

EUS-guided injection of the perforating veins by using cyanoacrylate-lipiodol was successful in eradicating gastric varices in the 5 patients treated, without recurrent bleeding or other complications during the study follow-up.

LIMITATION

This is a single-center nonrandomized study.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-guided injection of cyanoacrylate at the level of the perforating veins in the treatment of gastric varices seems to be a safe, efficient, and accurate approach. Further controlled studies are warranted.

A pilot study of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate injection for treatment of gastric fundal varices in humans

BACKGROUND

N-butyl cyanoacrylate injection has been shown to be effective and safe for the endoscopic treatment of gastric varices. N-butyl cyanoacrylate is not available in the United States, but use of a similar agent, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, recently was approved for skin closure. This pilot study prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate injection for treatment of gastric fundal varices.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with large gastric fundal varices with either stigmata of recent hemorrhage, a history of bleeding, or high-risk varices underwent intravariceal injection of undiluted 2-octyl cyanoacrylate. The end points for this study were cessation of active bleeding, successful obliteration of visible varices, and prevention of bleeding.

RESULTS

Within 2 weeks of treatment, 52% of patients had a history of significant variceal bleeding, and 12% had active gastric variceal bleeding at the time of injection. The rate of immediate hemostasis was 100%. Gastric variceal bleeding recurred in 4% of patients (mean follow-up 11 months). The overall mortality rate was 12%; the bleeding-related mortality rate was 4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate appears to be efficacious and safe for both prevention and control of gastric variceal hemorrhage. Larger studies are required to further establish the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for treatment of gastric fundal varices.

Review article: current endoscopic therapeutic options in the management of variceal bleeding

Variceal bleeding is a frequent and life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. The first episode of variceal bleeding is not only associated with a high mortality, but also with a high recurrence rate in those who survive. Therefore, many studies and randomized clinical trials have focused on different therapeutic strategies aiming to prevent the first episode of variceal bleeding (primary prophylaxis), to control haemorrhage during the acute bleeding episode (emergency treatment), and to prevent re-bleeding (secondary prophylaxis). These strategies involve pharmacological, endoscopic, surgical, and interventional radiological modalities. This review concentrates on the clinical aspects of the endoscopic modalities used to treat oesophageal variceal haemorrhage, including variceal injection sclerotherapy, variceal band ligation, and the use of tissue adhesives (glue) and their substitutes. We also draw conclusions from the available literature regarding the use of endoscopic modalities in primary prophylaxis, emergency treatment, and secondary prophylaxis of variceal re-bleeding. The management of gastric varices and variceal bleeding during pregnancy is also addressed.

Endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastric varices by N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) injection: long-term efficacy and safety

BACKGROUND

The long-term efficacy and safety of the endoscopic injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) were evaluated to define its role as the initial treatment for bleeding gastric varices.

METHODS

Ninety patients with bleeding gastric varices underwent endoscopic injections of Histoacryl for hemostasis within a 6-year period. Histoacryl was injected intravariceally as a 1:1 mixture with Lipiodol. Among the 90 patients, 5 had active bleeding and 85 had recent bleeding. Most of the varices were large (F2 or F3, 85 cases). The most common locations were the fundus and the posterior wall of the proximal body (94.4%). After Histoacryl injection, patients were followed endoscopically with retreatment as necessary.

RESULTS

The rate of hemostasis at 1 week was 94.4%. Recurrent bleeding occurred in 23.3% of the patients from 3 days to 16 months after the initial injection. Recurrent bleeding was stopped with reinjections of Histoacryl in 16.7% of the patients. The rate of definitive hemostasis was 93.3% (84 of 90). The treatment failure-related mortality rate was 2.2% (2 of 90). To date, 35 patients have died, mostly as a result of malignancy or liver failure, and 55 are still alive. The determining factor for long-term survival was the underlying disease leading to portal hypertension. There were few long-term complications except for Histoacryl cast extrusion-related mucosal defects.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic injection of Histoacryl is highly effective for the treatment of bleeding gastric varices, with rare complications both acutely and long term. This treatment modality is appropriate as the first choice for bleeding gastric varices.