Distal embolization and local vessel wall ulceration after gastric variceal obliteration with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Repeated endoscopic injections of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate mixtures into large gastric varices in a single patient led to two complications: initially, pulmonary embolism, and later local ulceration of the wall of a varix. The latter resulted in massive uncontrollable hemorrhage that ultimately led to a fatal outcome. This case report also analyzes complications reported in the literature during similar endoscopic procedures for gastric varices.