A Technical Review of EUS-Guided Variceal Eradication

Gastric varices present a unique therapeutic challenge for endoscopists. Although the use of direct endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection is superior to band ligation, it carries a risk of systemic adverse events. This led to the development of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided therapy. EUS enables accurate measurement and targeting of vessels, allowing for the precise intravascular delivery of cyanoacrylate and/or coils. Doppler imaging can be used to confirm obliteration in real time. In this review, we highlight recent literature on varying embolization techniques and detail the technical considerations required for a successful EUS-guided approach.