Diagnostic and therapeutic features of small bowel involvement in portal hypertension

Enteropathy is a lesser known complication of portal hypertension and consists of different changes in the mucosal layer of the small bowel which lead to the appearance of vascular and inflammatory lesions. It can be an important co-factor in the development of anemia in the cirrhotic population, an...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juan Egea-Valenzuela, Tania Fernández-Llamas, Ana Victoria García-Marín, Fernando Alberca-de-las-Parras, Fernando Carballo-Álvarez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Aran Ediciones
Series:Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas
Subjects:
Online Access:http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1130-01082017001200008&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Enteropathy is a lesser known complication of portal hypertension and consists of different changes in the mucosal layer of the small bowel which lead to the appearance of vascular and inflammatory lesions. It can be an important co-factor in the development of anemia in the cirrhotic population, and nowadays an easy and non-invasive diagnosis can be made thanks to capsule endoscopy. However, it is rarely considered in the management of patients with portal hypertension. Some aspects such as pathogenesis or incidence remain unclear and no specific recommendations are included in the guidelines regarding diagnosis or treatment. A review of the available literature was performed with regards to the most relevant aspects of this entity.
ISSN:1130-0108