Which of the following is a common cause of portal hypertension that can result in esophageal varices?

Which of the following is a common cause of portal hypertension that can result in esophageal varices?

• A. Portal hypertension
• B. Liver cirrhosis
• C. Caput Medusa
• D. Spider veins

Answer: (B)

Liver cirrhosis is the usual culprit behind portal hypertension. In cirrhosis, scar tissue and nodular regeneration increase resistance to portal venous blood flow, raising pressure in the portal system. That sustained high pressure drives the formation of portosystemic collaterals, including esophageal varices, which are dilated submucosal veins at the gastroesophageal junction and can bleed severely. Caput medusae and spider veins are signs that can accompany portal hypertension but aren’t causes. Portal hypertension itself is the result of processes like cirrhosis, so cirrhosis best explains a common cause that leads to esophageal varices.

Liver cirrhosis is the usual culprit behind portal hypertension. In cirrhosis, scar tissue and nodular regeneration increase resistance to portal venous blood flow, raising pressure in the portal system. That sustained high pressure drives the formation of portosystemic collaterals, including esophageal varices, which are dilated submucosal veins at the gastroesophageal junction and can bleed severely. Caput medusae and spider veins are signs that can accompany portal hypertension but aren’t causes. Portal hypertension itself is the result of processes like cirrhosis, so cirrhosis best explains a common cause that leads to esophageal varices.