title: The usefulness of ultrasonic microprobe imaging for endoscopic variceal ligation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether ultrasonic microprobe (UMP) imaging was useful in judging the therapeutic effect of endoscopic variceal (EVL) on varices as well as assessing varices and surrounding vessels before and after EVL.
  
  
  METHODS
  UMP imaging was performed repeatedly safely and easily via the biopsy channel of an endoscope in 20 patients with esophageal varices. Using this modality in combination with our method of "intensive ligation," we treated esophageal varices successfully.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before EVL, UMP imaging displayed esophageal varices, periesophageal collaterals, and the azygous vein as echo-free lumens. In 15 of 20 patients, UMP imaging clearly detected the perforating vein, one of the optimal ligation sites for EVL, connecting the varix and collateral vein. Just after EVL, UMP imaging revealed a hyperechoic change ("snow ball" sign or "snow channel" sign), indicating blood flow stasis in the esophageal varices. On subsequent EVL, UMP imaging showed the cross-sectional area of varices was undetectable (occluded) or partially detectaable. After repeated EVL (2.9 treatment sessions on average), UMP imaging, as well as endoscopy, indicated that almost all varices were eradicated (undetectable). However, UMP imaging demonstrated that neither collaterals nor the azygous vein had significantly changed in size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This modern diagnostic modality provided a clinical adjunct to current endoscopy when observing esophageal varices and surrounding vessels before and after EVL to determine the need for additional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical School, Yakushiji, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagamine
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ido
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawamata
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirasawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tokumaru
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004724:Endoscopy; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D020701:Esophagoscopes; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography