Open AccessBleeding due to ectopic varices in a urinary diversion: A multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge
Author(s) -
Eduardo Mariano Albers Acosta,
Alfonsi Friera Reyes,
Ricardo Brime Menéndez
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
canadian urological association journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.477
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1920-1214
pISSN - 1911-6470
DOI - 10.5489/cuaj.3175
Subject(s) - medicine , transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt , varices , portal hypertension , complication , esophageal varices , varix , surgery , gastric varices , upper gastrointestinal bleeding , urinary system , portosystemic shunt , radiology , endoscopy , cirrhosis
The ectopic varices in patients with portal hypertension are those that occur at any level of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, regardless of the varices that occur at the esophageal level. These ectopic varices account for 2‒5% of the causes of GI bleeding varices. The risk of bleeding is quadrupled compared to the esophagogastric area, with a mortality of up to 40%. The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, should be considered in cases secondary to recurrent bleeding varices. We present a case report of an urological emergency of bleeding in a urinary diversion secondary to ectopic varices successfully treated through the placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The condition described here is rare, but important, as it can be a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. This kind of complication should be known by urologic surgeons managing patients with urinary diversions.