Abstract
In 27 patients with esophageal varices blood flow in the varices was investigated by color Doppler echography, before and/or after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS). In all patients, color display indicating blood flow by this method could be observed before EIS. Maximam blood flow velocity was able to mesure in 15 patients and its mean velocity was 11.8±6.4 cm/s. (mean+ S.D.) After EIS, 18 patients were investigated. Endoscopically, the forms of varices were improved to Fo in 2 patients and to F1 in 16 patients. In color Doppler echography color display disappeared after EIS in 14 out of 18 patients in whom the forms of varices changed to Fo in 2 patients and F1 in 12 patients. On the other hand, 4 patients whose varices became F1 after EIS showed still color flow indicating blood flow. These patients should be followed up strictly by endoscopic observation, because the recurrence of the varices was observed. In conclusion, intracavitary color Doppler echography was thought to be useful for the evaluation of the therapeutic effect by EIS.
