Esophageal Varices in Adult Patients with Polycystic Kidney and Liver Disease

Abstract

IN the cases presented below, two middle-aged patients had polycystic kidneys and esophageal varices secondary to polycystic liver disease. One patient died after hemorrhage, which might have been better treated if the index of suspicion for bleeding esophageal varices had been greater.Case ReportsCase 1. A 57-year-old white woman with polycystic kidney and liver disease diagnosed 5 years earlier was admitted to the hospital in shock, vomiting blood, after having become hypertensive during home dialysis. Except for the physical findings of shock and a liver edge palpable at 5 to 6 cm below the right costal margin, physical examination . . .