Endoscopic clipping prior to n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection for gastric varices with a large gastrorenal shunt

Gastric variceal obturation with cyanoacrylate has been proven to be an effective treatment for gastric varices with a shunt [1]. However, there may be complications after the treatment, such as systemic embolism [2], which can be severe and even fatal. With the aim of reducing the risk of complications, we here report on the use of endoscopic clipping prior to n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection as a therapy to obliterate gastric varices with a large gastrorenal shunt.

A 56-year-old man was admitted to our department with a diagnosis of esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage and decompensated post-hepatitic cirrhosis. Emergency gastroscopy revealed a huge gastric fundal varix with hemorrhagic spots ([Fig. 1]). The diameter of the gastrorenal shunt was 11.5 mm on computed tomography (CT) scanning ([Fig. 2]).

Fig. 1 Endoscopic view of a huge gastric fundal varix with hemorrhagic spots.

Fig. 2 Computed tomography scan showing the gastric varix (black arrow) with a large gastrorenal shunt (white arrow).

Endoscopic treatment was performed immediately. We planned to deploy five clips (Instinct; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana, USA) on the varix ([Fig. 3]). Specifically, the first clip was deployed on the afferent branch of the varix. Deployment of the third clip caused the vessel to be broken and a little blood oozed out. A fourth clip was applied on the efferent branch of the varix. Finally, because of the large intravenous cavity on the upper part of the vein, the last clip was placed on the cavity, so as to reduce the volume of cyanoacrylate required.

Fig. 3 We planned to deploy five clips on the varix with the order and location of deployment as indicated.

After the clips had been placed, a “modified Sandwich method” (lauromacrogol, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, and sodium morrhuate) was used to complete the procedure. We injected the mixture on top of the broken point, and the bleeding quickly stopped. Two additional points were injected on each side of the first injection point and then one on the efferent branch until the whole varix had been solidified ([Video 1]). A total of 8 mL n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl; B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany), 25 mL lauromacrogol (Tianyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanxi, China), and 10 mL sodium morrhuate were used during the procedure.

Video 1 A gastric varix with large gastrorenal shunt is treated endoscopically with deployment of five clips followed by injection of 8 mL n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

A follow-up CT scan 2 weeks later showed the blocked gastric varix and gastrorenal shunt ([Fig. 4]). No bleeding or systemic embolism were reported during the 4-month follow-up period ([Fig. 5]).

Fig. 4 Follow-up computed tomography scan 2 weeks later showing the blocked gastric varix and gastrorenal shunt.

Fig. 5 View during follow-up endoscopy 4 months later showing an injected ulcer and obliterated varix.

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Competing interests

None

^* Joint first authors

• References

• 1 Sarin SK, Kumar A. Endoscopic treatment of gastric varices. Clin Liver Dis 2014; 18: 809-827
• 2 Irisawa A, Obara K, Sato Y. et al. Adherence of cyanoacrylate which leaked from gastric varices to the left renal vein during endoscopic injection sclerotherapy: a histopathologic study. Endoscopy 2000; 32: 804-806