ABSTRACT
Endosonography [EUS] is a useful tool for evaluating the fine details of the vascular structures at the gastroesophageal junction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of extraluminal gastroesophageal vascular collaterals as predictors for first variceal bleeding. Fifty cirrhotic patients with no history of previous upper gastrointestinal [GI] bleeding were recruited into this prospective cohort study. All patients were subjected to upper endoscopy and EUS for assessing the number and size of extramural vascular collaterals and perforating vessels. All patients were followed up for 24 +/- 7.5 months for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Eighteen out of 50 patients [36%] had at least one attack of upper GI bleeding during the follow up period. All patients had one or more types of extraluminal venous collaterals. The presence of gastric varices [p = 0.02], perigastric collaterals [p = 0.03] and perforators [p = 0.02] were independent risk factors for first variceal bleeding. The presence of 3 or more paraoesophageal collaterals and the presence of perforators were significantly higher in bleeders when compared to non-bleeders [p = 0.034]. Perigastric and paragastric collateral sizes were significantly larger in bleeders than in non-bleeders [p = 0.019 and 0.038, respectively]. Perigastric and paragastric collaterals of size more than or equal to 2 mm and 6.20 mm, respectively were associated with significantly increased risk of first variceal bleeding. EUS may be a promising tool for predicting first variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients