oesophageal varices

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oesophageal varices pl. n. dilated veins in the lower oesophagus due to portal hypertension. These veins may rupture and bleed, resulting in haematemesis. Bleeding may be arrested by a compression balloon, by sclerotherapy, by applying elastic bands via an endoscope, or by intravenous infusions of vasopressin or somatostatin.