Esophageal varices

Dilated submucosal veins of the distal esophagus forming portosystemic collaterals secondary to portal hypertension, with risk of life-threatening upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to variceal rupture.

Causes

• Liver diseases causing portal hypertension

  • Liver cirrhosis

  • Viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis

  • Alcohol-associated liver disease

  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

• Vascular causes

  • Portal vein thrombosis

  • Hepatic vein outflow obstruction

  • Budd-Chiari syndrome

• Schistosomiasis