Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy
Definition
- Gastric vascular changes associated with portal hypertension
Diagnostic Criteria
- Dilated, tortuous vessels in submucosa of gastric body
- May not be visible on shallow biopsy specimens
- Mucosal vascular distension
- Nearly always associated with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis
- Endoscopic appearance
- Cherry red spots
- May resemble scarlatina rash
- White reticular pattern
- May resemble snakeskin
- Mosaic appearance in proximal stomach
- Responds to lowering of portal pressure
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting/updates : 9/9/09, 4/16/10
