esophageal varices (redirected from Esophageal variceal ligation)

varix /va·rix/ (var´iks) pl. va´rices   [L.] an enlarged tortuous vein, artery, or lymphatic vessel.

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aneurysmal varix  a markedly dilated tortuous vessel.

arterial varix  a racemose aneurysm or varicose artery.

esophageal varices  varicosities of branches of the azygos vein which anastomose with tributaries of the portal vein in the lower esophagus, due to portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

lymph varix , varix lympha´ticus a soft, lobulated swelling of a lymph node, due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels.

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esophageal varices

n.

Longitudinal, superficial venous varices at the lower end of the esophagus that are prone to ulceration and massive bleeding.

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esophageal varices,

a complex of longitudinal tortuous veins at the lower end of the esophagus, enlarged and swollen as the result of portal hypertension. These vessels are especially susceptible to hemorrhage. Conditions that can cause portal hypertension include cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.

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esophageal

of or pertaining to the esophagus.

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esophageal achalasia

see megaesophagus.

esophageal anomalies

very rare; include atresia, duplication, segmental aplasia, esophagorespiratory fistulae, diverticula, epithelial inclusion cysts.

esophageal atresia

congenital lack of continuity of the esophagus, commonly accompanied by tracheoesophageal fistula, and characterized by accumulations of mucus in the nasopharynx, gagging, vomiting when fed, cyanosis and dyspnea. Treatment is by surgical repair by esophageal anastomosis and division of the fistula.

esophageal distention

may result from acute or chronic obstruction of the esophagus, or from defective innervation. See also megaesophagus.

esophageal duplication

may be tubular and communicate with the effective esophagus, or cystic appearing as a cystic mass close to the functioning esophagus.

esophageal ectasia

see megaesophagus.

esophageal enlargement

clinically visible enlargement as seen in esophageal diverticulum, stenosis, paralysis, cardial obstruction.

esophageal fibrosis

a cause of acquired megaesophagus; usually caused by trauma or spontaneous ulceration.

esophageal groove

see reticular groove.

esophageal groove lesion

includes granuloma, papilloma, foreign body lodgment; cause of obstructive bloat.

esophageal hyperkeratosis

hyperkeratotic thickening of the esophageal mucosa due usually to hypovitaminosis A or chlorinated naphthalene poisoning.

esophageal inflammation

see esophagitis.

esophageal motility disorders

see megaesophagus.

esophageal neoplasm

very rare except for papilloma and fibropapilloma; causes chronic esophageal obstruction.

esophageal obstruction

acute obstruction is manifested by inability to swallow, regurgitation of saliva, food and water through the nose and much discomfort expressed by retching movements and pawing at the throat. Ruminants develop ruminal tympany. Chronic obstruction shows the same syndrome but with a gradual development and a tendency to develop aspiration pneumonia.

Palpating an esophageal obstruction in a cow. By permission from Blowey RW, Weaver AD, Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, Mosby, 1997

esophageal osteosarcoma

occurs in dogs in association with the parasite Spirocerca lupi.

esophageal papilloma

a cause of obstructive bloat.

esophageal paralysis

causes esophageal obstruction.

esophageal patching

see patch graft.

esophageal perforation

causes local cellulitis and compression-obstruction of esophagus.

esophageal pulsion diverticulum

a diverticulum that pushes outwards causing pressure on surrounding organs and tissues.

esophageal segmental aplasia

causes esophageal obstruction in neonates.

esophageal stenosis, esophageal stricture

causes esophageal obstruction; may be partial, permitting passage of liquids.

esophageal tube

see nasogastric tube.

esophageal ulcer

usually associated with pressure necrosis due to prolonged obstruction and injury by a solid foreign body or, rarely equine dysautonomia or Gasterophilus spp. infestation.

esophageal varices

distended veins at the gastric cardia causing dysphagia.

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esophageal varices

The presence of varices under the esophageal mucosa, which most commonly occurs in a background of advanced liver disease Etiology Portal HTN, schistosomiasis Management Acute hemorrhage of EVs is treated by balloon compression; rebleeding is common, and is preemptively managed with endoscopic sclerotherapy, which in turn is often complicated by rebleeding, stenosis, & esophageal ulceration; some data suggest that combined modality therapy with a β-blocking agent–nadolol, propranolol and an anti-hypertensive–isosorbide mononitrate is better than endoscopic sclerotherapy in treating EVs Prognosis Good if unrelated to cirrhosis. See Endoscopic sclerotherapy, Nadolol with isosorbide mononitrate.