ENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF PORTAL HYPERTENSIVE GASTROENTEROPATHY

Abstract

Portal hypertension is primarily caused by liver cirrhosis and abnormal portal blood flow, inducing various changes in the gastrointestinal tract, including esophageal and gastric varices and portal hypertensive gastroenteropathy (PHGE). Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) manifests as mucosal lesions, such as erythema, edema, and mucosal hemorrhage, in the upper gastric body and fundus. Histologically, PHG is a non-inflammatory condition characterized by dilated capillaries, collecting venules in the mucosal and submucosal layers, and edema without inflammatory cell infiltration. Portal hypertensive enteropathy is characterized by dilated vessels in the small and large intestines that may lead to bleeding. Here, we describe the endoscopic diagnosis of PHGE.