Anorectal varices

Not to be confused with Haemorrhoid.
Anorectal varices
SpecialtyGastroenterology, Hematology
SymptomsCoffee ground vomiting, Hematochezia
ComplicationsInternal bleeding, hypovolemic shock, cardiac arrest
CausesPortal hypertension
TreatmentTreating portal hypertension, surgery (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)

Anorectal varices are collateral submucosal blood vessels dilated by backflow in the veins of the rectum.[1] Typically this occurs due to portal hypertension which shunts venous blood from the portal system through the portosystemic anastomosis present at this site into the systemic venous system.[2][3] This can also occur in the esophagus, causing esophageal varices, and at the level of the umbilicus, causing caput medusae.[4] Between 44% and 78% of patients with portal hypertension get anorectal varices.[3][5]

  1. ^ Katz, JA; Rubin, RA; Cope, C; Holland, G; Brass, CA (Jul 1993). "Recurrent bleeding from anorectal varices: successful treatment with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt". The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 88 (7): 1104–7. PMID 8317414.
  2. ^ Hunt AH. 'A contribution to the study of portal hypertension. Edinburgh: Livingstone, 1958: 61.
  3. ^ a b Chawla, Y; Dilawari, J B (1 March 1991). "Anorectal varices--their frequency in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension". Gut. 32 (3): 309–311. doi:10.1136/gut.32.3.309. PMC 1378841. PMID 2013427.
  4. ^ Moubarak, Elie; Bouvier, Antoine; Boursier, Jérôme; Lebigot, Jérôme; Ridereau-Zins, Catherine; Thouveny, Francine; Willoteaux, Serge; Aubé, Christophe (15 October 2011). "Portosystemic collateral vessels in liver cirrhosis: a three-dimensional MDCT pictorial review". Abdominal Imaging. 37 (5): 746–766. doi:10.1007/s00261-011-9811-0. PMID 22002160. S2CID 24223637.
  5. ^ Hosking, SW; Smart, HL; Johnson, AG; Triger, DR (1989-02-18). "Anorectal varices, haemorrhoids, and portal hypertension". Lancet. 1 (8634): 349–52. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(89)91724-8. PMID 2563507. S2CID 29675644.