Comparison of Coil Embolization and Sclerotherapy of Collateral Veins during Balloon Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration: Its Long Term Effect for Gastric Varix Treatment

We compared the long term effect gastric varix treatment between coil embolization and sclerotherapy of collateral veins during balloon occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO). Between February 2004 and November 2008 48 patients with gastric varix bleeding successfully treated with BRTO 23 underwent embolization of collateral veins during BRTO were enrolled in this study. In patients, collateral veins were embolized with the use of microcoil (group 1). Agent (5% ethanolamine oleate + lipiodol) was used in the remaining 7 patients (Group 2). Recurrence and rebleeding of gastric varix were evaluated by endoscopy or CT. Gastric varix recurred in 4 patients (17.4%) and rebleeding occurred in 2 (8.7%). Recurrence (57.1%, p 0.001) and rebleeding (28.6%, p = 0.029) of gastric occurred in group 2. CT finding within 6 months in partial or complete thrombosis without lipiodol uptake in gastric varix, gastric varix recurred on follow up CT. Coil embolization of collateral veins during BRTO may promote complete obliteration of gastric varix, provide lower recurrence and rebleeding rates of gastric sclerosing agent on long term follow-up.