title: A case of mediastinal fibrosis due to radiotherapy and 'downhill' esophageal varices: a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
abstract: 'Downhill' varices are located in the proximal part of the esophagus. Their etiology differs from the distal types, with most of them usually being related to superior vena cava obstruction. Although bleeding due to 'downhill' varices is very rare, it can be life-threatening. Here, we present a case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to mediastinal fibrosis associated with chest radiotherapy for seminoma metastasis sixteen years previously, which was successfully treated conservatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterohepatology, Camlica Erdem Hospital, Alemdag Yanyol Street, Uskudar, Istanbul, 34696, Turkey, drbyasar@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yasar
authors.forename: Evren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abut
mesh_terms: D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D018239:Seminoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D013997:Time Factors