Inferior thyroid artery embolization for downhill varices caused by a goiter.

摘要

Isolated proximal esophageal varices (downhill varices) occur mainly as a result of compression or obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC). There are various benign and malignant etiologies.1"7 A goiter is among the rarer causes and may result in the formation of proximal esophageal varices secondary to occlusion of the SVC or the inferior thyroid vein./ For radical therapy of downhill varices caused by a goiter, surgery is the standard method of treatment. Here we present a patient who had bleeding from downhill varices in the presence of a giant recurrent goiter. There were numerous arteriovenous collaterals. The patient was treated with embolization of the inferior thyroid artery feeding the varices and of other arteries feeding the goiter.