ABSTRACT
Objective To study the etiology clinical features, treatment outcomes and prevention of esophageal submucosal hematoma caused by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) of esophageal varices. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients who were diagnosed with esophageal submucosal hematoma caused by EIS and treated in our hospital from Jan 2014 to July 2016. Five patients were analyzed including one patient receiving endoscopic gastrointestinal catheterization combined with medication, and the remaining four received medication therapy only. Results All five patients were discharged with clinical improvement. However the patients treated only with medication therapy recovered more slowly than the ones who treated with combined therapy. No treatment related side-effects were observed among two treatment groups. Conclusion Endoscopic gastrointestinal catheterization combined with medication may be an effective treatment for esophageal submocasal hematoma caused by EIS. However, the actual clinical efficacy and safety remain to be proven by future large sample randomized clinical studies.