Hepatology

Overview:

Endoscopic therapy for portal hypertensive gastropathy treats bleeding in the stomach lining caused by elevated portal pressure. Using an endoscope, physicians apply medications (like argon plasma coagulation or sclerotherapy) or thermal treatments to control bleeding and reduce recurrence, often alongside medications that lower portal pressure.

Conditions Treated:

• Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG)
• Non-variceal upper GI bleeding related to portal hypertension
• Chronic blood loss causing anemia in liver disease patients

Overview:

FibroScan is a quick, non-invasive ultrasound-based test that measures liver stiffness to evaluate fibrosis and fat accumulation. It provides an alternative to liver biopsy for assessing chronic liver disease progression. Results help predict the risk of cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Chronic hepatitis B or C
• Fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)
• Alcoholic liver disease
• Cirrhosis and fibrosis monitoring

Overview:

Liver function tests are blood tests that measure liver enzymes, proteins, and substances to assess how well the liver is working. They help detect inflammation, damage, or impaired bile flow and are used for diagnosing and monitoring liver diseases or medication effects.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Hepatitis (viral, autoimmune, or drug-induced)
• Fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)
• Cirrhosis or liver fibrosis
• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Biliary obstruction

Overview:

Non-invasive evaluation of portal hypertension uses imaging and laboratory tools to assess increased pressure in the portal venous system without requiring direct catheterization. Techniques such as Doppler ultrasound, elastography (FibroScan), and MRI help estimate liver stiffness and blood flow, providing insight into liver scarring and the risk of complications like varices or ascites.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease
• Portal hypertension and its complications
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)
• Hepatitis-related fibrosis

Overview:

An EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is a medical procedure used to examine the lining of your upper digestive tract. This includes your

• Esophagus: The muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach
• Stomach: The muscular sac where food is broken down
• Duodenum: The first part of your small intestine

Overview:

Variceal band ligation is an endoscopic procedure used to treat or prevent bleeding from enlarged veins (varices) in the esophagus or stomach caused by portal hypertension. Elastic bands are placed around varices to cut off blood flow, leading them to collapse and heal.

Conditions Treated:

• Esophageal or gastric varices
• Active variceal bleeding
• Prevention of recurrent variceal hemorrhage in portal hypertension

Overview:

When endoscopic therapy is insufficient, interventional radiology–guided vascular procedures can control or prevent variceal bleeding. Techniques such as TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) or embolization create new pathways for blood flow or block bleeding vessels, lowering portal pressure and reducing recurrence risk.

Conditions Treated:

• Refractory variceal bleeding
• Portal hypertension with recurrent hemorrhage
• Gastric or ectopic varices
• Complications of cirrhosis not controlled by medication or endoscopy