Visualization of gastric varices using angiographic C-arm CT during retrograde transvenous sclerotherapy.

During retrograde transvenous sclerotherapy for gastric varices, sufficient opacification of the target varices on venography is essential for successful treatment. However, venography sometimes cannot identify target varices due to overlapping adjacent collateral vessels or leakage of contrast medium to other outflow veins. We report how C-arm CT images acquired using a flat-panel detector angiography system helped to identify target varices and predict the distribution of a sclerosant, which resulted in safer sclerotherapy and increased operator confidence.