Oesophageal Varices
Oesophageal varices are varicose veins in the oesophagus. A varicose vein is one which is swollen and distended, usually because it is exposed to exceptionally high pressure. This happens in the leg when the veins on the outside - the superficial veins - become exposed to the pressure in the deep veins of the leg. Oesophageal varices usually occur as a late complication of cirrhosis of the liver or as a result of problems with drainage of blood from the spleen. They can cause torrential bleeding. Surgery or injection of the varices, or cautery, is required to prevent haemorrhage. They are rare in infancy, but occur as a consequence of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, described in disorders of the liver in the digestive tract section.
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