Recurrent bacteremia due to retained embolized glue following variceal obliteration

Abstract

Cyanoacrylate glue injection is the endoscopic treatment of choice for gastric variceal hemorrhage [1]. Though generally safe [2], glue is rarely associated with systemic embolization and significant bacteremia [3]. Prolonged bacteremia (≥ 4 weeks) has only been reported in two patients [4], in whom retained variceal casts acted as infected foci. Here we report a patient, 24 weeks after variceal injection, with recurrent life-threatening septicemia due to retained "embolized" glue.