GENERAL RULES FOR RECORDING ENDOSCOPIC FINDINGS OF ESOPHAGOGASTRIC VARICES (2ND EDITION)

TLDR

The original endoscopic recording rules for esophageal varices were proposed in 1980, revised in 1991, and have been widely adopted, while portal hypertensive gastropathy has recently been recognized as a distinct entity. Endoscopic ultrasonography clearly visualizes vascular structures around the esophageal wall, and advances in medicine prompted a modest update of the rules. The updated rules are simpler and more straightforward, incorporating portal hypertensive gastropathy findings and a new classification for endoscopic ultrasonographic observations.

Abstract

General rules for recording endoscopic findings of esophageal varices were initially proposed in 1980 and revised in 1991. These rules have widely been used in Japan and other countries. Recently, portal hypertensive gastropathy has been recognized as a distinct histological and functional entity. Endoscopic ultrasonography can clearly depict vascular structures around the esophageal wall in patients with portal hypertension. Owing to progress in medicine, we have updated and slightly modified the former rules. The revised rules are simpler and more straightforward than the former rules and include newly recognized findings of portal hypertensive gastropathy and a new classification for endoscopic ultrasonographic findings.