The ''mosaic-like'' pattern of portal hypertensive gastric mucosa after variceal eradication by sclerotherapy

The 'mosaic-like' pattern of portal hypertensive gastric mucosa has been evaluated endoscopically in 38 patients referred for elective sclerotherapy, before the first session, after the complete eradication of varices and six months later. Of 38 patients studied, 18 patients exhibited mild, and 20 patients exhibited negative, findings of congestive gastropathy prior to sclerotherapy. Seventeen and 18 patients, respectively, developed aggravated changes of congestive gastropathy after the completion of sclerotherapy (P = 0.003). We consider that obliteration of varices by means of endoscopic sclerotherapy influences the development of gastric congestion changes in the majority of patients. However, further studies are required to relate the direction of blood flow in the portal system as well as the level of portal pressure with the congestive gastropathy findings in such patients.