Gastric varices usually occur secondary to portal venous hypertension. However, they may also occur with splenic vein thrombosis.
Conditions associated with splenic vein thrombosis and gastric varices:
(1) pancreatitis
(2) local malignant neoplasm (pancreatic, gastric, other)
(3) hypercoagulable state
Features of gastric varices in the setting of splenic vein thrombosis:
(1) absence of portal venous hypertension
(2) usually affect the short gastric veins running from splenic hilum to the greater curvature of the stomach
(3) often multiple with bleeding difficult to control
(4) can be diagnosed if imaging studies performed of the splenic vein
Splenectomy can control varices secondary to pancreatitis.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
