Summary
Autopsies were performed on 53 patients with oesophageal varices treated with ethoxysclerol® to effect sclerosis of the terminal oesophageal wall. The morphological changes after
perivascular injection, disturbance of wound healing and complications are described.
In 20 cases it was possible to follow the various stages of the normal resorptive
inflammatory reaction with transition to perivascular sclerosis of the oesophageal
wall. Fatal complications tended to arise in cases with an existing oesophageal lesion
produced by the mechanical action of an oesophageal tube. Deeply penetrating mucosal
ulcers, perforation of the wall and phlegmonous inflammation leading to mediastinitis
were observed in almost 75 % of the cases.
The results of this morphological analysis might be used as a basis for a prospective
morphological study of patients with varices treated with oil-containing solutions
injected into the oesophageal wall.
Key words:
Oesophagus - Varices - Sclerosis - Morphology
