Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound in esophagogastric varices.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluation of esophagogastric varices and guidance of endoscopic therapy. EUS can visualize not only collateral veins around the esophagus but also perforating veins that connect esophageal varices with collateral veins. They are associated with high risk of bleeding and early recurrence after initial variceal eradication. Isolated gastric varices can be easily diagnosed using EUS that mimic thickened gastric folds or subepithelial tumors. EUS-guided endoscopic therapy is a challenging field of variceal bleeding. It has a potential role for assistance of interventions and evaluation of treatment outcome.