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What Are Varicosities of the Spleen?

Varicosities or varices are abnormally distended veins most commonly found in the stomach, intestines and esophagus. Varices can also occur in the splenic vein and in the veins of a part of the spleen called the splenic hilum, located on the surface of the spleen where the splenic vein and artery are inserted into the spleen. Left untreated, they can bleed heavily, which can be dangerous if not managed correctly.

  1. Spleen

    • The spleen is a small organ in the upper left side of your abdomen in between your stomach and diaphragm. It is responsible for helping your body to fight infection. The splenic vein returns blood from the spleen, stomach and pancreas, to the liver through the portal vein. The portal vein connects the bowel, stomach and spleen to the liver and transports a large amount of blood from these organs to the liver.

    Occurrence

    • According to Sono World, varicosities of the spleen are the body's way of compensating for high blood pressure in the portal vein, portal hypertension. A huge amount of blood is passed through the portal vein, so any blockages at all in the liver are bound to lead to a back flow and an increase in pressure, according to Merck Manuals. There also can be a corresponding enlargement of the spleen followed by varicosities in the veins between the spleen and the stomach leading to a development of esophageal varices at a later stage.

    Causes of Portal Hypertension

    • The primary cause for portal hypertension is cirrhosis, liver disease. Other conditions that result in damage to and blockages in the liver can also cause portal hypertension that can then lead to the development of varicosities of the spleen, intestines and esophagus. Portal hypertension can also be caused by blockages in the splenic vein or portal vein, due to a tumor or blood clot.

    Government Guidelines for Treatment

    • The aim of treatment of varices is to prevent life-threatening bleeding. U.S. government guidelines for the prevention of variceal bleeding recommend that if you are diagnosed with varices, you should be treated with drugs, which work by lowering the blood pressure in the portal vein, to prevent them from bleeding, according to the National Guideline Clearinghouse.

    Other Treatments

    • Other treatments include sclerotherapy, injecting a solution in the varices to make them shrink; surgical ligation, strangling the varices with bands to prevent bleeding done surgically; and injecting a special drug during endoscopy to reduce pressure in the varices.

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