Egea Valenzuela Juan, Fernández Llamas Tania, García Marín Ana Victoria, Alberca de Las Parras Fernando, Carballo Álvarez Fernando
Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Digestivo, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixa, España.
Digestivo, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, España.
Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2017 Dec;109(12):856-862. doi: 10.17235/reed.2017.4596/2016.
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.
