Abstract
Using the general rules for recording endoscopic findings on esophageal varices by Japanese Research Society for Portal Hypertension, clinical and histopathological studies were undergone in 170 clinical cases and 27 autopsy cases with portal hypertensionconcerning the endoscopic findings of esophageal varices . 1. There was a significant correlation between bleeding and grades in "Form" or "Location" of esophageal varices. Furthermore, frequency of bleeding was especially higher in cases with "Red-Color sign" (R-C sign) . 2. Cases of "Form 1" had little danger of bleeding and they need a follow-up examination by endoscopic studies. 3. In cases of "Form 2 or 3 with R-C sign", the main cause of death was gastrointestinal bleeding in untreated group . "R-C sign" seemed to be a signal for rupture from histopathological studies and thus, they need prophylactic treatment . 4. Prophylactic surgery for varices of I . P. H. group showed a satisfactory result. 5. Histopathological studies revealed that esophageal varices was mainly formed by submucosal veins. In higher degree of variceal form, higher degree of a pile of varices was seen, and larger space of the tissue was occupied by varices . 6. "Cherry Red Spot" (C.R.S.) and "Red Wale Marking" (R.W.M.) seem to be composed of varices located at the propria mucosae just beneath the thinned esophageal epithlium located on the top of piled varices . Endoscopic difference of C. R. S. and R. W. M. seems to be due to difference of running manner of blood vessels forming varices . 7. "Diffuse Redness" seems to be formed by increased blood flow into the variceal network of the propria mucosae just beneath the esophageal epithelium and into the intrapapillary vessels of esophgeal epithelium derived vertically form the variceal network .
