Abstract
Esophagoscopic examination was performed on 402 cases of chronic liver diseases. Varices were detected in 298 cases and classified according to the criteria proposed by Japanese commities on Portal Hypertension (1979). History of variceal bleeding was significantly frequent in the patients with varices associated with R-C signs (hematocystic spot, moderate or severe grade of cherry-red spots and / or red wale marking). The associated teleangiectasia of moderate or severe grade was also frequently detected in the patients with high risk of variceal bleeding. Chronic hepatitis and cirrhotic patients were further examined. Those with F3 varices had a high incidence of splenomegaly and / or ascites. It was also found that they had lower value of indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate (KICG), thrombotests and higher value of intrasplenic pressure. The intrasplenic pressure of the patients with R-C signs were higher than in those without R-C signs. These result suggest that the formation of varices and R-C signs closely associated with the elevation of the intrasplenic pressure.
