Abstract
We performed endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) alone or combined therapy of EVL and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) in 30 patients with F2 or F3 and RC positive esophageal varices. In addition, using MR angiogram (MRA), which is relatively noninvasive examination, we investigated the therapeutic results and prognosis. The variceal supply veins tended to persist on MRA after therapy, with EVL alone or EVL combined with EIS by an exravascular injection of 1% Aethoxysklerol. On the contrary, EVL combined with EIS by an intravascular injection of 5% ethanolamine oleate the variceal supply veins tended to disappear. The recurrence rate of varices was higher in patients with persistently supplying veins than those without them. The combined therapy of EVL and EIS was useful in that the volume of sclerosant used could be reduced. From the aspect of the prophylaxis of recurrence, the combination of EVL and EIS by intravascular injection, enabling obliteration of supplying veins, was thought to be particularly useful.
