ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is a common cause of variceal bleeding in children in India. There is paucity of data regarding the results of treatment with endoscopic sclerotherapy. METHODS: Fifty-nine children (mean age 11 +/- 3.8 years; range 7 months to 12 years; 36 males and 23 females) were studied from February 1990 to September 1999. EHPVO was diagnosed on the basis of portal cavernoma on ultrasonography in 55 patients and on splenoportovenogram in 4 patients. Endoscopic sclerotherapy was caried out at weekly intervals for the first three weeks and at 3 weekly intervals thereafter till complete or near complete thrombosis was achieved. All patients were followed up with check endoscopy every 3-6 months after thrombosis of oesophageal varices. RESULTS: Over a mean follow up of 25.4 months (range 3 to 87 months) total thrombosis was achieved in 53 (89.8%) of 59 children. The mean number of sclerotherapy sessions required were 7.5 +/- 2.2. The mean number of blood transfusions required per bleeding episode was 3.8 +/- 3.2. Of the 59 children 21 (35.6%) rebled, of which 17 (28.8%) bled during and 4(6.8) after thrombosis of varices. Seven (11.9%) children had more than one episode of bleeding. Once thrombosis of the varices was achieved 15 (26%) of 59 children developed fresh varices on follow up. Gastric varices were detected in 47 (60%) children. In 39 (66%) children it was present at the onset and in 8 (13.5%) children it developed after thrombosis of oesophageal varices. Bleeding from gastric varix occurred in 7(9%) children. Ascites developed in 6(10.6%) children. One child developed oesophageal stricture. There were 3 (5%) deaths. Two died due to upper gastrointestinal bleed while on sclerotherapy schedule and one died due to cerebral abscess. CONCLUSION: EHPVO is an important and common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children in Western India. EST is safe and useful in controlling oesophageal variceal bleeding in children.