Oesophageal Varices

In the pictures below you see columns of varices made up of blue-purple veins. Varices are not normally seen in the lumen of the oesophagus. They appear as a result of advanced damage to the liver, or of obstruction in the vessels leading to it.

Normally the blood should pass through the liver; these varices form when it changes course towards the gullet because of problems inside the liver or in the vessels of the liver.

Through irritation of the lining over them, or through the high pressure inside them, these vessels can bleed of their own accord and cause serious bleeding that threatens life. Their treatment can be endoscopic band ligation, sclerotherapy, or medical.