A case report of successful band ligation of bleeding anastomotic duodenal varix in an adolescent patient

Ectopic varices are defined as portosystemic venous collaterals occurring in the gastrointestinal tract outside of the cardio-esophageal region. Duodenal varices are not routinely encountered by pediatric gastroenterologists. At the time of this case report, there are no consensus guidelines on the management of bleeding duodenal varices in pediatric patients. This is a case of a 14-year-old young woman with a history of multi-visceral transplantation due to short gut syndrome. The patient had developed duodenal varices near her transplant anastomosis, which were incidentally biopsied on endoscopy causing resultant bleeding that required endoscopic hemostasis. This case highlights the need for recognition of duodenal varices as a potential etiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in children and describes band ligation as an effective hemostatic modality.