CT after uncomplicated esophageal sclerotherapy.

CT scans of the lower chest were performed before and after elective uncomplicated endoscopic esophageal variceal sclerotherapy in nine patients. CT findings included (1) esophageal wall thickening, (2) low attenuation within the wall giving the esophagus a laminated appearance, (3) a predominantly low attenuation mediastinal effusion that was often masslike, (4) obliteration of mediastinal fat planes, (5) thickening of the diaphragmatic crura, (6) pleural effusions, and (7) subsegmental atelectasis. No mediastinal or pleural gas was seen. Changes were less severe in patients who had received sclerotherapy several times in the past and in those who were given the least amount of sclerosant. An understanding of the CT changes after clinically uncomplicated esophageal sclerotherapy will aid in the interpretation of scans performed on patients with suspected complications.