General rules for recording endoscopic findings of esophagogastric varices (1991)

The general rules made in 1980 for recording endoscopic findings of esophageal varices have widely been used in Japan and in other countries. However, since the development of endoscopic sclerotherapy and other modalities of endoscopic treatment, these 1980 rules were found to be insufficient for recording mucosal changes after treatment. The general rules as revised in 1991 recognize mucosal changes such as erosion, ulcer, scar, thrombosed varices, and bleeding signs. These new 1991 rules, which seem useful for recording initial evaluation of gastroesophageal varices and for describing mucosal changes after sclerotherapy as well, are described here.Michio Kobayashi, M.D., Masahiro Arakawa, M.D., Katsutoshi Obara, M.D., Hiroyuki Kato, M.D., Seigo Kitano, M.D., Yoshiya Kumagai, M.D., Kensho Sanjo, M.D., Hiroaki Suzuki, M.D., Jun Toyonaga, M.D., Yasuhiro Takase, M.D., Masayuki Fujino, M.D., Hiroyasu Makuuchi, M.D., Shunji Futagawa, M.D., Yoshinobu Mitarai, M.D., Yasuyuki Yazaki, M.D.