Background: Patient with history of excessive alcohol (ETOH) intake with increasing difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
Key Points: Esophageal varices are seen in over half of patients with portal hypertension such as in the case of long standing alcohol intake as in this case. It is important to note there are other causes of cirrhosis and portal hypertension beyond alcohol intake such as Chid-Pugh C cirrhosis or other causes of liver disease resulting in cirrhosis. Esophageal varices are dilated submucosal veins of the esophagus, and are portosystemic collaterals. Fluoroscopic evaluation with barium demonstrates longitudinal and curvilinear luminal filling defects, representing varices.
Submitted by Dr. Saeed Rad MD to radRounds Radiology Network
