Difference between type 2 gastroesophageal varices and isolated fundic varices in clinical profiles and portosystemic collaterals

Abstract

BACKGROUND

There is significant heterogeneity between gastroesophageal varices (GOV2) and isolated gastric varices (IGV1). The data on the difference between GOV2 and IGV1 are limited.

AIM

To determine the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, portosystemic collaterals in patients with GOV2 and IGV1.

METHODS

Medical records of 252 patients with gastric fundal varices were retrospectively collected, and computed tomography images were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant differences in routine blood examination, Child–Pugh classification and MELD scores were found between GOV2 and IGV1. The incidence of peptic ulcers in patients with IGV1 (26.55%) was higher than that of GOV2 (11.01%), while portal hypertensive gastropathy was more commonly found in patients with GOV2 (22.02%) than in those with IGV1 (3.54%). Typical radiological signs of cirrhotic liver were more commonly observed in patients with GOV2 than in those with IGV1. In patients with GOV2, the main afferent vessels were via the left gastric vein (LGV) (97.94%) and short gastric vein (SGV) (39.18%). In patients with IGV1, the main afferent vessels were via the LGV (75.61%), SGV (63.41%) and posterior gastric vein (PGV) (43.90%). In IGV1 patients with pancreatic diseases, spleno-gastromental-superior mesenteric shunt (48.15%) was a major collateral vessel. In patients with fundic varices, the sizes of gastric/esophageal varices were positively correlated with afferent vessels (LGVs and PGVs) and efferent vessels (gastrorenal shunts). The size of the esophageal varices was negatively correlated with gastrorenal shunts in GOV2 patients.

CONCLUSION

Significant heterogeneity in the etiology and vascular changes between GOV2 and IGV1 is useful in making therapeutic decisions.

Key Words: Gastrorenal shunt; Spleno-gastroomental-superior mesenteric shunt; Liver cirrhosis; Pancreatic diseases

Core Tip: These findings highlight the differences in the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, portosystemic collaterals between patients with gastroesophageal varices and patients with isolated gastric varices. Knowledge of the etiology and portosystemic collaterals in our study is helpful in making therapeutic decisions.

INTRODUCTION

Gastric varices (GVs) are dilated submucosal veins in the stomach and represent a type of portosystemic shunt[1-4]. GVs are a life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding[2,3,5-8]. According to their location, GVs are classified as gastroesophageal varices (GOVs) and isolated gastric varices (IGVs)[2,9]. GOVs are divided into GOV1 (esophageal varices extending down to the cardia or the lesser curve of the stomach) and GOV2 (esophageal varices and fundic varices)[2,9,10]. IGVs are subdivided into IGV1 (fundic varices) and IGV2 (ectopic varices located anywhere in the stomach, such as in the body, antrum or pylorus)[3,9,10]. This classification, initially described by Sarin et al[9], was helpful in understanding the natural history and management of gastric varices[2]. Physiologically, GOV1 are a continuation of esophageal varices, and their vascular alternations and therapeutic strategies are similar to those of esophageal varices[2,10], and will not be further discussed in our study. Since the incidence of IGV2 and the morbidity of IGV2-induced bleeding are much lower than those of IGV1, patients with IGV2 were not enrolled in our research. Our study focused mainly on patients with IGV1 and GOV2, the so-called fundic varices. Obviously, there are some similarities between IGV1 and GOV2. The Sarin classification does not truly describe the heterogeneity in the etiology and vascular alternation. Thus, studies should be performed to determine the etiology, clinical profiles, and imaging signs in patients with GOV2 and IGV1. However, the data are limited. To obtain a better understanding of fundic varices (GOV2 and IGV1), a large sample of patients (119 patients with GOV2, 133 patients with IGV1) was enrolled, and then the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, and portosystemic collateral veins in patients with fundic varices were investigated in our study. The data in our study are helpful in making therapeutic decisions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Further details are provided in the supplement.

Patient selection

Our retrospective study was performed at Union Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Wuhan, China). A total of 252 consecutive patients with gastric fundal varices (GOV2 and IGV1) were enrolled from October 2013 to November 2020. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Patients with confirmed fundic varices after endoscopic examination; and (2) Stable hemodynamics for at least 5 d. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Patients who received radiologic intervention [transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO)]; (2) Patients who received endoscopic therapy within 5 years [endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL), endoscopic injection sclerosis (EIS), endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection (ECGI)]; (3) Patients who received surgery (surgical portosystemic shunts, devascularization within 5 years); and (4) Patients who had insufficient data for further evaluation. The study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (No. 2020-S216) and registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR 2100042267).

Data collection

Baseline clinical data were obtained from medical records, and then tabulated into a database. The pertinent data included etiology, age, sex, peripheral blood routine examination, biochemistry, Child–Pugh, MELD, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, and PSCV (computed tomography portal venography).

Imaging technique and imaging analysis

Images were acquired from one of the following CT scanners (Siemens Somatom Definition AS+, Siemens Somatom Definition, and Toshiba Aquilion ONE). Multidetector row CT portal venography (CTPV) was performed after intravenous administration of high-iodine-concentration contrast medium (iodixanol) (320 mg/mL) [Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., China]. All images were retrospectively and independently reviewed by two radiologists. First, cirrhotic-related radiological signs were evaluated. We assessed the following signs: the volume of esophageal/gastric varices using the regional growth method [11], the diameter of the main portal vein (1 cm distal to the junction of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein), splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein (1 cm proximal to the junction), portal vein thrombosis, cavernous transformation of the portal vein, gallbladder wall thickening (> 3 mm)[12-14], the longest dimension of the spleen on an axial or coronal view and the presence of ascites. Second, afferent veins and efferent veins of gastric fundal varices were determined. Third, we assessed the presence of other PSCVs, such as paraumbilical veins, intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (> 3 mm), and retroperitoneal shunts.

Statistical analysis

Continuous variables were expressed as the mean and standard deviation or median (25^th-75^th percentiles). Categorical variables are presented as n (%). The interobserver agreement between the two radiologists for determining radiological features was determined using kappa (κ) statistics[15-17]. The correlations of categorical or continuous variables were analyzed by Spearman’s correlation test. A P value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, United States).

RESULTS

Study population

In this retrospective analysis, 252 consecutive patients with confirmed fundic varices were enrolled, and 30 patients were excluded (Figure 1). A total of 222 enrolled patients had liver cirrhosis (75.68%), pancreatic diseases (17.12%), and other diseases (7.21%) (Supplementary Table 1). Among patients with liver cirrhosis, the etiologies included hepatitis B/C (n = 106), alcoholic liver disease (n = 7), schistosomiasis (n = 9), autoimmune liver diseases (n = 11), cardiac cirrhosis (n = 1), Wilson diseases (n = 1), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 1), Budd-Chiari syndrome (n = 1) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (n = 31). Based on the Sarin classification, they were divided into the GOV2 group (109 patients) and IGV1 group (113 patients). Both GOV2 and IGV1 were primarily caused by liver cirrhosis (Supplementary Table 1). As shown in Supplementary Table 1, the results revealed that the constituent ratio of underlying diseases in cirrhotic patients with GOV2 was similar to that of IGV1 patients with liver cirrhosis. Importantly, the percentage of pancreatic diseases in the IGV1 group was greater than that in GOV2 patients.

Figure 1 Flowchart of the patients’ enrollment. GOV2: Gastroesophageal varices; IGV1: Isolated gastric varices; TIPS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; BRTO: Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration; EVL: Endoscopic variceal ligation; EIS: Endoscopic injection sclerosis; ECGI: Endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection.

Clinical profiles and endoscopic findings of enrolled patients with fundic varices

Demographic data, laboratory tests (peripheral blood routine examination and biochemistry) and endoscopic findings of enrolled patients were determined, and the results are shown in Table 1. First, demographic data showed that the median age of the patients was 53 years old, and male patients were more frequently affected than female patients. No differences in sex or age were observed between the GOV2 group and IGV1 group. Second, the results of peripheral blood routine examination demonstrated that the values of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets were lower in GOV2 patients than of those in IGV1 patients. Additionally, among patients with IGV1, the values of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets were lower in cirrhotic patients than in patients with pancreatic diseases. Third, the biochemical parameters of the enrolled patients were also evaluated. No differences were observed in biomarkers of liver damage (ALT, AST) and cholestasis (ALP, γGT) between GOV2 patients and IGV1 patients. Biomarkers of liver synthetic ability (albumin, INR and cholesterol) in GOV2 patients were inferior to those of IGV1 patients (Table 1). As expected, biomarkers of liver damage, cholestasis and liver synthetic ability in cirrhotic patients with IGV1 were inferior to those of IGV1 patients resulting from pancreatic diseases. Fourth, the Child–Pugh classification and MELD score, the parameters for the prognosis of chronic liver disease, were calculated. The results showed that the percentage of Child–Pugh class A in GOV1 patients was lower than that of IGV2 caused by liver cirrhosis or pancreatic diseases. Moreover, MELD scores in GOV1 patients were higher than those in IGV1 patients. Finally, endoscopic findings were assessed. The incidence of peptic ulcers in patients with IGV1 (26.55%) was higher than that in GOV2 patients (11.01%); portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) was more commonly observed in patients with GOV2 (22.02%) than in those with IGV2 (3.54%). Interestingly, in cirrhotic patients, a lower incidence of peptic ulcers and a higher incidence of PHG were found in GOV2 than in IGV1.

Table 1 Demographic characteristics and laboratory tests in different groups of enrolled patients.

Variables		Total (222)	GOV2 (109)		IGV1 (113)	P value	IGV1 (113)
							Liver cirrhosis (67)	Pancreatic diseases (38)	Others (8)	P value
Gender, n (M/F)		128/94	70/39		58/55	0.052	33/34	22/16	3/5	0.497
Age, yr		53.52 ± 12.20	53.00 ± 11.92		54.03 ± 12.51	0.532	55.61 ± 10.75	50.16 ± 14.74	59.13 ± 11.38	0.047
Peripheral blood routine examination
Erythrocytes (1012/L)	3.32 ± 0.78		3.20 ± 0.73		3.44 ± 0.81	0.022	3.47 ± 0.86	3.33 ± 0.75	3.83 ± 0.62	0.315
Leukocyte (109/L)	3.94 (2.56-5.62)		3.28 (2.00-5.32)		4.42 (3.29-5.86)	0.001	3.85 (2.75-5.52)	5.08 (3.79-7.61)	4.50 (4.27-5.86)	0.034
Platelet (109/L)	87.50 (57.00-148.75)		70.00 (49.00-137.00)		113.00 (73.00-156.00)	0.001	84.00 (59.00-129.00)	147.00 (96.00-181.00)	117.00 (115.00-187.00)	< 0.001
Biochemistry
ALT (U/L)	28.00 (18.00-41.00)		28.00 (20.00-39.25)		27.00 (14.00-44.00)	0.403	34.00 (21.00-48.00)	18.00 (10.00-32.00)	12.00 (7.00-23.00)	< 0.001
AST (U/L)	33.00 (22.00-49.00)		35.00 (24.75-51.00)		31.00 (19.00-47.50)	0.095	41.00 (25.00-62.00)	19.00 (15.00-31.00)	20.00 (12.00-24.00)	< 0.001
ALP (U/L)	84.00 (64.00-126.00)		85.00 (67.75-119.25)		82.00 (59.00-128.00)	0.515	92.00 (62.00-139.00)	71.00 (51.00-113.00)	82.00 (49.00-100.00)	0.163
γGT (U/L)	35.00 (19.00-75.00)		36.50 (20.00-75.00)		33.00 (16.00-78.50)	0.523	46.00 (25.00-84.00)	21.00 (11.00-60.00)	19.00 (8.00-23.00)	0.001
T-Bil (µmol/L)	18.20 (13.00-26.00)		19.70 (14.83-29.45)		16.70 (10.65-24.05)	0.003	18.00 (13.00-26.70)	13.90 (9.80-19.40)	12.50 (10.20-16.70)	0.045
Albumin (g/L)	34.73 ± 6.43		33.54 ± 5.87		35.93 ± 6.77	0.007	34.64 ± 7.06	37.54 ± 5.87	39.40 ± 6.09	0.046
INR	1.22 (1.10-1.38)		1.27 (1.14-1.44)		1.18 (1.06-1.31)	0.001	1.22 (1.08-1.39)	1.12 (1.04-1.20)	1.04 (0.99-1.43)	0.021
Cholesterol	3.37 (2.68-4.15)		3.14 (2.54-4.04)		3.64 (2.82-4.35)	0.036	3.55 (2.82-4.27)	3.75 (2.96-4.77)	3.43 (2.30-7.95)	0.607
Child-Pugh classification (A/B/C)	113/70/4		48/49/1		65/21/3	< 0.001	35/14/3	26/7/0	4/0/0	0.467
MELD	10.00 (8.00-11.00)		10.00 (8.00-12.50)		9.00 (7.00-11.00)	0.006	10.00 (8.00-11.00)	8.00 (7.00-9.00)	7.00 (6.50-10.00)	0.007
Endoscopic findings
Portal hypertensive gastropathy	28/222 (12.61%)			24/109 (22.02%)	4/113 (3.54%)	< 0.001	4/67 (5.97%)	0	0		/
Peptic ulcer	42/222 (18.92%)			12/109 (11.01%)	30/113 (26.55%)	0.003	26/67 (38.81%)	4/38 (10.53%)	0		0.001

Note: Continuous variables were presented as median (25th–75th percentiles) (skewed distribution) or mean ± SD (Gaussian distribution), and categorical variables are presented as count (percentage). Normal ranges: Erythrocytes: 4.3 × 10¹²/L-5.8 × 10¹²/L; Leukocyte: 3.5 × 10⁹/L-9.5 × 10⁹/L; Platelet: 125 × 10⁹/L-350 × 10⁹/L; Alanine aminotransferase: 5-40 U/L; Aspartate aminotransferase: 8-40 U/L; Alkaline phosphatase: 40-150 U/L; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase: 11-50 U/L; total bilirubin: 5.1-19.0 μmol/L; Albumin: 35-55 g/L; International normalized ratio: 0.80-1.31; cholesterol: < 5.2 mmol/L. GOV2: Gastroesophageal varices; IGV1: Isolated gastric varices; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; T-BIL: Total bilirubin; INR: International normalized ratio.

Radiological findings and portosystemic collaterals in patients with fundic varices

Radiological signs and portosystemic collateral vessels (PSCVs) were determined in patients with fundic varices using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Unfortunately, 43 cases were excluded because the patients had not received contrast CT scans or the image data were not obtained. First, typical radiological signs of liver cirrhosis were evaluated. Our study revealed gallbladder wall thickening in 42.07% of patients, ascites in 44.69% of cases, portal vein thrombosis in 18.99% of cases, and cavernous transformation of the portal vein in 11.73% of cases (Table 2). Importantly, the above radiologic signs were more commonly observed in patients with GOV2 than in those with IGV1. Moreover, the diameters of the main portal vein (PV), splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the longest dimension of the spleen in the GOV2 group were larger than those in the IGV1 group. The mean volume of GVs in cirrhotic patients with IGV1 (10.00 mL) was larger than that of GOV2 (2.39 mL) patients and IGV1 patients caused by pancreatic diseases (4.12 mL). Second, afferent veins of GVs were reviewed. In patients with GOV2, gastric varices were principally supplied by the left gastric vein (LGV) (97.94%) and short gastric vein (SGV) (39.18%); in patients with IGV1, afferent veins of GVs were LGV (75.61%), SGV (63.41%) and posterior gastric vein (PGV) (43.90%). Third, efferent veins of gastric varices were also investigated. In patients with GOV2, gastric varices were drained by esophageal and para-esophageal varices (100%, data not shown), splenorenal shunts (11.34%) and gastrorenal shunts (21.65%); in patients with IGV1, efferent veins of cirrhotic patients with IGV1 were splenorenal shunts (14.00%) and gastrorenal shunts (78.00%) (Figure 2A and B). Interestingly, in IGV1 patients with pancreatic diseases, the splenogastromental-superior mesenteric shunt (48.15%) was a major collateral vessel due to splenic vein occlusion (Figure 2C). Finally, other PSCVs were assessed. Paraumbilical vein patency was more common in the GOV2 group (38.14%) than the IGV1 group (8.54%) (Table 2). A similar pattern was also observed in retroperitoneal shunts. Obvious intrahepatic portosystemic shunts were infrequent.

Figure 2 Computed tomography portal venography of gastric variceal collateral vessels. A: Coronal oblique volume-rendered (VR) computed tomography (CT) portal venogram views (A1) and schematic drawing (A2) illustrated collateral circulation of esophageal varices (GVs) in the patient with gastroesophageal varices (75-years-old male patients with liver cirrhosis). GVs were supplied by left gastric vein (LGV) (arrowhead) and SGV, and drained by gastrocaval shunt (GCS), and esophageal and para-esophageal varices (EVs); B: Coronal oblique VR CT portal venogram views (B1) and schematic drawing (B2) illustrated collateral circulation of GVs in the patient with isolated gastric varices (IGV1) (75-years-old female patients). GVs were supplied by LGV (arrowhead) and SGV (white arrow), and drained by GRS, SRS and intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (black arrow in the MIP image); C: Coronal oblique cinematically rendered reconstruction in CT portal venogram views (C1) and schematic drawing (C2) showing collateral vessels in a 42-years-old male patient with IGV1 caused by pancreatic pseudocyst secondary to pancreatitis. GVs were supplied by SGV (arrowhead), spleno-gastroomental -superior mesenteric shunt (white arrow) was a major collateral vessel due to partial splenic vein occlusion (thick arrow).

Table 2 Radiological findings and portosystemic collateral vessels in patients with gastric fundic varices.

Variables	Total (179)	GOV2 (97)	IGV1 (82)	P value	IGV1 (82)
					Liver cirrhosis (50)	Pancreatic diseases (27)	Others (5)	P value
Gallbladder wall thickening1	69/164 (42.07%)	51/92 (55.43%)	18/72 (25.00%)	< 0.001	10/46 (21.74%)	7/21 (33.33%)	1/5 (20.00%)	0.678
The longest dimension of spleen (cm)	14.06 (12.44-15.93)	15.74 ± 2.97	13.30 ± 2.25	< 0.001	13.50 ± 2.30	12.90 ± 1.62	13.55 ± 4.91	0.529
Ascites	80/179 (44.69%)	61/97 (62.89%)	19/82 (23.17%)	< 0.001	13/50 (26.00%)	6/27 (22.22%)	0	0.583
Portal vein thrombosis	34/179 (18.99%)	30/97 (30.93%)	4/82 (4.88%)	< 0.001	2/50 (4.00%)	2/27 (7.41%)	0	0.697
Cavernous transformation of portal vein	21/179 (11.73%)	18/97 (18.56%)	3/82 (3.66%)	< 0.001	1/50 (2.00%)	2/27 (7.41%)	0	0.405
The volume of gastric varices (mL)	3.35 (1.62-8.55)	2.39 (1.35-4.81)	5.60 (2.35-15.68)	< 0.001	10.00 (3.14-21.50)	4.12 (2.72-6.35)	1.24 (0.63-8.17)	0.005
The diameter of main portal vein (mm)	14.71 (12.19-16.59)	15.17 (13.44-17.21)	13.65 ± 2.76	< 0.001	13.08 ± 2.40	14.38 ± 3.21	15.14 ± 2.29	0.066
The diameter of splenic vein (mm)	10.14 (8.21-12.38)	11.00 (9.17-13.61)	9.08 ± 2.43	< 0.001	8.92 (7.19-10.67)	8.14 (5.18-10.95)	9.98 (9.42-12.37)	0.312
The diameter of superior mesenteric vein (mm)	11.78 (10.09-13.44)	12.63 (10.77-13.90)	11.06 ± 2.11	< 0.001	11.00 ± 2.02	11.23 ± 2.16	10.73 ± 3.07	0.845
Afferent veins of gastric varices
Left gastric vein	157/179 (87.71%)	95/97 (97.94%)	62/82 (75.61%)	< 0.001	39/50 (78.00%)	21/27 (77.78%)	2/5 (40.00%)	0.194
Short gastric vein	90/179 (50.28%)	38/97 (39.18%)	52/82 (63.41%)	0.001	30/50 (60.00%)	22/27 (81.48%)	0	0.002
Posterior gastric vein	60/179 (33.52%)	24/97 (24.74%)	36/82 (43.90%)	0.007	25/50 (50.00%)	9/27 (33.33%)	2/5 (40.00%)	0.381
Efferent veins of gastric varices
Splenorenal shunt	20/179 (11.17%)	11/97 (11.34%)	9/82 (10.98%)	0.939	7/50 (14.00%)	1/27 (3.70%)	1/5 (20.00%)	0.212
Gastrorenal shunt	65/179 (36.31%)	21/97 (21.65%)	44/82 (53.66%)	< 0.001	39/50 (78.00%)	4/27 (14.81%)	1/5 (20.00%)	< 0.001
Other portosystemic collateral vessels
Spleno-gastroomental-superior mesenteric shunt	17/179 (9.50%)	1/97 (1.03%)	16/82 (19.51%)	< 0.001	3/50 (6.00%)	13/27 (48.15%)	0	< 0.001
Paraumbilical vein patency	44/179 (24.58%)	37/97 (38.14%)	7/82 (8.54%)	< 0.001	7/50 (14.00%)	0	0	/
Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts	7/179 (3.91%)	4/97 (4.12%)	3/82 (3.66%)	1.000	3/50 (6.00%)	0	0	/
Retroperitoneal shunt	52/179 (29.05%)	37/97 (38.14%)	15/82 (18.29%)	0.004	6/50 (12.00%)	8/27 (29.63%)	1/5 (20.00%)	0.131

¹Indicated 15 of patients with fundic varices had received cholecystectomy.

GOV2: Gastroesophageal varices; IGV1: Isolated gastric varices.

Correlations among portosystemic collateral veins in patients with GOV2

To provide useful reference information for the management of gastric varices, the relationship among different PSCVs should be illustrated. First, we determined the correlation between the volumes of varices and PSCVs. In patients with GOV2, the volume of the gastric varices was positively correlated with afferent veins (the maximum diameter of the LGV and PGV) (Table 3). In addition, the volume of GVs was associated with efferent veins (the maximum diameter of the gastrorenal shunt). Interestingly, the volume of esophageal varices was negatively correlated with the gastrorenal shunt diameter (Table 3), which revealed a negative correlation between the two major divisions of efferent veins. Second, the correlation between afferent veins and efferent veins was evaluated in patients with GOV2. Only a positive correlation between the maximum diameter of the PGV and the maximum diameter of the gastrorenal shunt was found (Table 3). Third, we demonstrated no correlation among gastric varices with other PSCVs (intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, paraumbilical vein patency and retroperitoneal shunt) (Table 3). Finally, the results showed no correlation of the main portal vein with afferent/efferent veins of the GV, except for the diameter of the PGV (Table 3).

Table 3 The correlations between afferent/efferent veins and portosystemic collaterals in patients with gastroesophageal varices.

Variables		The volume of varices (mL)		The diameter of main portal vein (mm)	Afferent veins			Efferent veins		Other portosystemic collateral vessels
		The volume of EVs (mL)	The volume of GVs (mL)		Maximum diameter of LGV (mm)	Maximum diameter of PGV (mm)	Maximum diameter of SGV (mm)	Maximum diameter of SRS (mm)	Maximum diameter of GRS (mm)	Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts	Paraumbilical vein patency	Retroperitoneal shunt
Maximum diameter of LGV (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.411	0.372	0.052	/	0.099	0.307	-0.374	-0.018	0.061	0.081	-0.039
	P value	0.000	0.000	0.632	/	0.654	0.061	0.258	0.940	0.556	0.437	0.711
	n	92	90	88	/	23	38	11	20	95	95	95
Short gastric vein	Correlation coefficient	0.139	0.066	0.013	0.132	-0.038	/	-0.179	0.268	0.046	0.022	0.065
	P value	0.182	0.532	0.903	0.204	0.859	/	0.598	0.241	0.655	0.831	0.524
	n	94	92	90	95	24	38	11	21	97	97	97
Posterior gastric vein	Correlation coefficient	-0.055	0.378	-0.239	0.199	/	0.100	0.298	0.520	0.121	-0.106	0.091
	P value	0.600	0.000	0.023	0.053	/	0.550	0.373	0.016	0.236	0.302	0.377
	n	94	92	90	95	24	38	11	21	97	97	97
Maximum diameter of splenorenal shunt (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.200	-0.155	-0.533	-0.374	1.000	0.000	/	/	/	-0.418	0.000
	P value	0.580	0.650	0.139	0.258	/	1.000	/	/	/	0.200	1.000
	n	10	11	9	11	2	7	/	1	11	11	11
Maximum diameter of gastrorenal shunt (mm)	Correlation coefficient	-0.518	0.755	-0.434	-0.018	0.745	0.576	/	/	0.332	-0.113	-0.238
	P value	0.023	0.000	0.072	0.940	0.013	0.082	/	/	0.141	0.625	0.298
	n	19	20	18	20	10	10	1	/	21	21	21

The correlations of categorical or continuous variables were analyzed by Spearman correlation test. In determining the maximum diameter of a vessel, isolated saccular dilatation of a vessel in venous ectasia or venous aneurysm was excluded. EVs: Esophageal varices; GVs: Gastric varices; LGV: Left gastric vein; PGV: Posterior gastric vein; SGV: Short gastric vein; SRS: Splenorenal shunt; GRS: Gastrorenal shunt.

Correlations among portosystemic collateral veins in patients with IGV1

The correlations among PSCVs in patients with IGV1 are shown in Table 4. First, the correlations between the volumes of gastric varices and efferent/afferent veins were determined, and the results showed that the volume of gastric varices was positively correlated with afferent veins (the maximum diameter of LGV and posterior gastric vein) and efferent veins (the maximum diameter of gastrorenal shunt). Second, the correlation between afferent veins and efferent veins was evaluated in patients with IGV1. The results revealed a positive correlation between the main afferent vessel (the diameter of gastrorenal shunts (GRS) and efferent veins (LGV, SGV and PGV)) (Table 4). Third, the results showed no correlations between major divisions of efferent/afferent veins and other portosystemic collateral vessels (intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, paraumbilical vein patency and retroperitoneal shunt). Finally, a negative correlation of the main portal vein with efferent veins (the gastrorenal shunt) was observed (Table 4).

Table 4 The correlations between afferent/efferent veins and portosystemic collaterals in patients with isolated gastric varices.

Variables		The volume of gastric varices (mL)	The diameter of main portal vein (mm)	Afferent veins			Efferent veins			Other portosystemic collateral vessels
				Maximum diameter of LGV (mm)	Maximum diameter of SGV (mm)	Maximum diameter of PGV) (mm)	Maximum diameter of splenorenal shunt (mm)	Maximum diameter of gastrorenal shunt (mm)	Spleno-gastroomental-superior mesenteric shunt	Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts	Paraumbilical vein patency	Retroperitoneal shunt
Maximum diameter of LGV (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.405	0.241	/	0.167	0.143	0.543	0.366	0.259	-0.211	-0.121	0.153
	P value	0.001	0.065	/	0.291	0.506	0.266	0.036	0.042	0.100	0.350	0.236
	n	59	59	/	42	24	6	33	62	62	62	62
Maximum diameter of SGV (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.212	0.113	0.167	/	0.328	-0.600	0.421	0.223	0.007	-0.014	0.083
	P value	0.135	0.432	0.291	/	0.215	0.285	0.026	0.111	0.963	0.919	0.559
	n	51	51	42	/	16	5	28	52	52	52	52
Posterior gastric vein	Correlation coefficient	0.047	0.007	0.257	-0.317	/	0.548	-0.091	-0.064	0.220	0.082	0.090
	P value	0.682	0.949	0.044	0.022	/	0.127	0.555	0.571	0.047	0.467	0.422
	n	78	79	62	52	36	9	44	82	82	82	82
Maximum diameter of PGV (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.667	0.012	0.143	0.328	/	1.000	0.506	0.093	-0.053	-0.111	-0.315
	P value	0.000	0.946	0.506	0.215	/	0.000	0.014	0.588	0.758	0.521	0.061
	n	34	33	24	16	/	3	23	36	36	36	36
Splenorenal shunt	Correlation coefficient	0.175	-0.008	0.093	-0.128	0.102	/	-0.131	0.024	-0.068	0.172	0.036
	P value	0.126	0.945	0.472	0.365	0.555	/	0.395	0.830	0.541	0.122	0.750
	n	78	79	62	52	36	9	44	82	82	82	82
Maximum diameter of Splenorenal shunt (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.667	-0.083	0.543	-0.600	1.000	/	-0.500	-0.621	/	0.104	-0.414
	P value	0.071	0.831	0.266	0.285	0.000	/	0.667	0.074	/	0.791	0.268
	n	8	9	6	5	3	/	3	9	9	9	9
Gastrorenal shunt	Correlation coefficient	0.173	-0.245	-0.123	-0.148	-0.062	-0.456	/	-0.419	0.177	0.102	-0.141
	P value	0.129	0.029	0.340	0.296	0.718	0.217	/	0.000	0.112	0.364	0.205
	n	78	79	62	52	36	9	44	82	82	82	82
Maximum diameter of gastrorenal shunt (mm)	Correlation coefficient	0.735	-0.242	0.366	0.421	0.506	-0.500	/	0.043	0.018	0.149	-0.037
	P value	0.000	0.123	0.036	0.026	0.014	0.667	/	0.782	0.909	0.333	0.814
	n	44	42	33	28	23	3	/	44	44	44	44
Spleno-gastroomental-superior mesenteric shunt	Correlation coefficient	-0.025	0.314	0.259	0.223	0.093	-0.621	0.043	/	-0.096	-0.150	0.245
	P value	0.826	0.005	0.042	0.111	0.588	0.074	0.782	/	0.391	0.177	0.027
	n	78	79	62	52	36	9	44	/	82	82	82

The correlation of categorical or continuous variables was analyzed by Spearman correlation test. In determining the maximum diameter of a vessel, isolated saccular dilatation of a vessel in venous ectasia or venous aneurysm was excluded. LGV: Left gastric vein; SGV: Short gastric veins; PGV: Posterior gastric vein.

DISCUSSION

Although the incidence of bleeding from GVs is relatively low, bleeding is more severe and is associated with higher mortality[2,3,18]. In this study, 222 patients with fundic varices were enrolled, and the etiology, clinical profiles, imaging signs, and PSCVs were determined in patients with IGV1 and GOV2. The primary cause of fundic varices was liver cirrhosis. Left-side portal hypertension (LSPH) occurs as a result of narrowing and obstruction of the splenic vein secondary to pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic pseudocysts, which usually results in the formation of isolated fundal varices[19]. Gastric varices were frequently supplied by LGVs, SGVs and PGVs; major efferent veins included esophageal varices, gastrorenal shunts, and splenorenal shunts. These findings were consistent with previous studies[1,3,4,20-22].

Obviously, there is substantial heterogeneity between IGV1 and GOV2. Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of GOV2, and the major etiologies of IGV1 include liver cirrhosis and pancreatic diseases. Cytopenia was frequently observed in patients with GOV2 compared with IGV1, which revealed that hypersplenism occurred more commonly in patients with GOV2. The constituent ratio of underlying diseases contributed to the difference in routine blood examination. In addition, cirrhotic patients with GOV2 had higher rates of hypersplenism than cirrhotic patients with IGV1. Simultaneously, abnormal liver function was more commonly observed in patients with GOV2. Normal liver function was observed in most of the patients with LSPH. The discrepancy between GOV2 and IGV1 was attributed to the constituent ratio of underlying diseases. Interestingly, PHG was more commonly observed in patients with GOV2 than in IGV1 patients. PHG, a complication of portal hypertension, is associated with portal venous pressure[23-25]. Patients with IGV1 have large gastrorenal shunts, so portal venous pressure in patients with IGV1 was lower than that in patients with GOV2[23,25]. In addition, the degree of liver dysfunction was correlated with the severity of PHG in cirrhotic patients[24]. High portal venous pressure and liver dysfunction resulted in a higher incidence of PHG in patients with GOV2. Interestingly, the incidence of peptic ulcers in patients with IGV1 was higher than that in GOV2 patients; HP infection, the use of NSAIDs, gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric mucosal barrier, epithelial renewal, and mucosa defense mechanisms are involved in ulcer formation. In patients with IGV1, gastrorenal shunts increased gastric submucosal shunting of blood away from the gastric mucosa, leading to reduced perfusion and accelerated ulcer formation[26,27].

Typical CT features of liver cirrhosis include morphologic changes of the liver, portal vein enlargement, portal venous thrombosis, cavernous transformation, splenomegaly, regenerative nodule, PSCVs, and ascites. Typical radiological signs were more commonly observed in patients with GOV2 than in those with IGV1. In addition to the constituent ratio of underlying diseases, the distinction between cirrhotic patients with GOV2 and IGV1 contributed to the differences in radiological signs. The afferents to GVs come from the LVG, SGV and PGV; GVs enter systemic veins through esophageal and paraesophageal varices, gastrorenal shunts, splenorenal shunts, etc. In patients with IGV1 caused by pancreatic diseases, fundic varices were supplied by SGV and PGV. More importantly, we first found that the splenogastromental-superior mesenteric shunt is a major collateral vessel.

We first found that the size of varices was positively correlated with efferent/afferent vessels in patients with GOV2 or IGV1; in patients with GOV2, the size of esophageal varices was negatively correlated with gastrorenal shunt. When patients have gastrorenal shunts or gastrocaval shunts, endoscopic glue injection might result in distal systemic thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism, acute kidney injury, obliteration of splenic or portal vein[3,4]. Thus, it is important to determine whether patients with gastric fundal varices have gastrorenal shunts. Our study showed that gastric varices drain mainly into the inferior vena cava via gastrorenal shunts or direct gastrocaval shunts in IGV1 caused by liver cirrhosis. Importantly, our research revealed that the size of esophageal varices was negatively correlated with the gastrorenal shunt diameter in patients with GOV2. This result indicated that gastrorenal shunts probably occurred in GOV2 patients with small esophageal varices. All these results indicated that gastrorenal shunts or gastrocaval shunts occurred frequently in GOV2 patients with small esophageal varices and IGV1 patients with liver cirrhosis. Thus, endoscopic glue injection should not be performed in these patients (Figure 3). For patients with large shunts, cardiofundal GVs with lower portal pressures reduced the efficacy of TIPS in bleeding control. Additionally, a large GRS or gastrocaval shunt increased the risks of TIPS (hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic ischemia)[3]. BRTO with subsequent EVL/EIS or TIPS should be considered for the management of gastric varices in these patients (Figure 3). For patients with small shunts, endoscopic ultrasound-guided glue coil placement and glue injection and TIPS with embolization are preferred strategies (Figure 3). In IGV patients with splenic vein obstruction, splenectomy and transcatheter splenic artery embolization are good therapeutic choices (Figure 3). In addition, the correlation of PSCVs with clinical profiles was determined in fundic varices; unfortunately, no correlation was found between PSCVs and clinical profiles (Supplementary Tables 2 and 3).

Figure 3 treatment algorithm for gastric fundic varices. ¹Gastro-renal shunt or gastrocaval shunt occurred frequently in gastroesophageal varices patients with small size of esophageal varices; ²Gastro-renal shunt or gastrocaval shunt were mainly found in isolated gastric varices patients caused by liver cirrhosis; ³Endo-scopic injection sclerosis should be performed when the size of esophageal varices is larger than 2 cm; ⁴Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration should be considered in the patients with large gastrorenal shunts or gastrocaval shunt. GOV2: Gastroesophageal varices; IGV1: Isolated gastric varices; EVL: Endoscopic variceal ligation; EV: Esophageal varices; ECGI: Endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection; GV: Gastric varices; TIPS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; EUS: Endoscopic ultrasound; EIS: Endoscopic injection sclerosis; BRTO: Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

Our study had several limitations. First, it was a single center retrospective study, not a prospective, randomized, multicenter study. Second, the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was not determined in our study. Fortunately, HVPG measurement is a valuable method to evaluate the severity of portal hypertension, predict outcomes, and guide therapeutic decisions. Our conclusions are reliable without HVPG measurement because clinical profiles and imaging findings are our research priorities. Finally, follow-up data could not be provided since the retrospective study involved a 7-year span.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the differences in the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, and portosystemic collaterals between patients with GOV2 and patients with IGV1. Our study would be helpful in making therapeutic decisions. Further studies should be performed to confirm our conclusion based on large samples, and follow-up data should be provided based on the development of suitable therapeutic strategies in the future.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

There is significant heterogeneity between gastroesophageal varices (GOV2) and isolated gastric varices (IGV1). The data on the difference between GOV2 and IGV1 are limited.

Research motivation

The Sarin classification does not truly describe the heterogeneity in the etiology and vascular alternation. Thus, studies should be performed to determine the etiology, clinical profiles, and imaging signs in patients with GOV2 and IGV1.

Research objectives

The Sarin classification does not truly describe the heterogeneity in the etiology To obtain a better understanding of fundic varices (GOV2 and IGV1), a large sample of patients (119 patients with GOV2, 133 patients with IGV1) was enrolled, and then the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, and portosystemic collateral veins in patients with fundic varices were investigated in our study. The data in our study are helpful in making therapeutic decisions.

Research methods

The authors retrospectively collected the medical records of 252 patients with gastric fundal varices, and analyzed computed tomography images.

Research results

Significant differences in the etiology, blood routine examination, liver function, the incidence of peptic ulcer and the morbidity of portal hypertensive gastropathy were found between GOV2 and IGV1. Typical radiological signs of liver cirrhosis were more commonly observed in patients with GOV2 compared with IGV1. Spleno-gastroomental-superior mesenteric shunt was a major collateral vessel of IGV1 patients caused by the obstruction of the splenic vein. Gastro-renal shunt or gastrocaval shunt occurred in GOV2 patients with small size of esophageal varices and IGV1 patients caused by liver cirrhosis

Research conclusions

These findings highlight the differences in the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, portosystemic collaterals between patients with GOV2 and patients with IGV1. Knowledge of the etiology and portosystemic collaterals in our study is helpful in making therapeutic decisions.

Research perspectives

A multicenter study should be performed to determine the differences in the etiology, clinical profiles, endoscopic findings, imaging signs, portosystemic collaterals between patients with GOV2 and patients with IGV1. A prospective RCT study should be performed to determine therapeutic interventions for patients with GOV2 or IGV1.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Mr. Hai-Tao Shang and Tao Bai (Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology) for helpful suggestions in statistical analysis.