A case of recurrent variceal bleeding in a non-cirrhotic patient

A 45-year-old woman had presented to her local hospital on a number of occasions with recurrent episodes of bleeding from oesophageal varices. Concurrently, during these episodes she developed significant ascites which resolved with control of bleeding and diuretic therapy. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed which suggested splenic and superior mesenteric vein thromboses. A full thrombophilia screen was subsequently performed and the patient was anti-coagulated with warfarin. Referral to our centre was then made on the basis of continued variceal bleeding and ascites development, on the background of the CT findings. A subsequent liver biopsy showed no evidence of cirrhosis. …