Esophageal ulceration and bleeding after flexible fiberoptic esophageal vein sclerosis.

Three patients with portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage were treated with flexible fiberoptic esophageal vein sclerosis by injection of sodium morrhuate. Each of these patients bled after sclerotherapy, and deep esophageal ulcers were found at the previous injection sites. Postsclerotherapy pathologic features are presented in 2 patients. It is suggested that the sclerotherapy caused esophageal ulceration and bleeding. Careful evaluation of the sclerosing technique and its histopathologic consequences is needed.