Summary
A case of asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with an initial presenting feature of localized gastric varices is reported.
The patient, 64 years old female, underwent a barium meal examination because of ill-defined abdominal complaints and was found to have gastric varices localized at the cardia but no esophageal varices. Her blood chemistry showed high values of biliary tract enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, but the serum bilirubin level was almost normal. Serum anti-mitochondrial antibody was positive. Histological findings of the surgically biopsied liver specimen were compatible with PBC. The clinical implication of gastric varices in PBC is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahrens EH, et al: Primary biliary cirrhosis. Medicine 29:299, 1950
Lebric D, et al: Portal hypertension and primary biliary cirrhosis. Diagestion 14: 220, 1976
Nakanuma Y, et al: Portal hypertension with primary biliary cirrhosis; its pathogenesis and comparison with other liver diseases using histometeric methods. Acta Hepatol Jpn 20: 388, 1979 (Jpn)
Rubin E, et al: Primary biliary cirrhosis; chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. Am J Pathol 46: 387, 1965
Klatskin G, et al: Mitochondrial antibody in primary biliary cirrhosis and other diseases. Ann Int Med 77: 533, 1972
Sherlock S, et al: The presentation and diagnosis of 100 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. N Engl J Med 286: 674, 1973
Doniach D, et al: A unified concept of autoimmune hepatitis. Lancet 1: 813, 1969
Scheuer PJ: Primary biliary cirrhosis. Roy Soc Med 60: 1257, 1967
Kew MC, et al: Portal hypertension in primary biliary cirrhosis. Gut 12: 830, 1971
Zeegen R, et al: Bleeding oesophageal varices as the presenting feature in primary biliary cirrhosis. Lancet 2:9, 1969
Maeta Y, et al: A case of asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis with initial manifestation of bleeding from esophageal varix. Acta Hepatol Jpn 17: 377, 1976 (Jpn)
Wohl GT, et al: Lesions of the cardiac end of the stomach simulating carcinoma. Am J Rentgenol 82: 1048, 1959
Gaul M, et al: Ergebnisse des röntgenologischen Nachweise von Magenvarizen bei peroraler Kontrastmittelgabe. Fortschr Roentgenstr 96: 759, 1962
Nishioka K, et al: Esophago-gastric varices. Stomach and Intestine 4: 157, 1969 (Jpn)
Sherlock S, et al: Presymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. Gastroenterology 56: 1222, 1976
Fox RA, et al: Asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. Gut 14: 444, 1973
Kelty RH, et al: The relation of regenerative liver nodule to the vascular bed in cirrhosis. Gastroenterology 15:285, 1950
Reynolds TB, et al: Measurement of partial pressure and its clinical application. Am J Med 49: 649, 1970
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yabu, K., Kiyosawa, K., Akahane, Y. et al. A case of asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis with an initial presenting feature of localized gastric varices. Gastroenterol Jpn 18, 384–390 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774957
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774957