The aim of the study is to explore the clinical characteristics of isolated gastric varices (IGV) and sunmarize the experience for the management.

Clinical data of IGV patients, who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital during January 2016 and July 2021, were analyzed.

A total of 57 patients were included in this study.38 were male and 19 were female, with the mean age of (55.4±13.27) years. There were 41 cases with cirrhosis and 16 with no cirrhosis. 10 patients were combined with gastrorenal shunt. Based on LDRf classification, the most typical type of IGV was Lgf, with a rate of 73.7% (42/57), and the rate of type D2.0 and above in varicose diameter was 63.2% (36/57). All patients were performed with endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection successfully.A special balloon was used to block the gastrorenal shunt temporarily during the process in 10 patients, who were combined with a gastrorenal shunt. None of the patients suffered serious complications, such as embolization, perforation and sepsis. The 1-year recurrent bleeding rate was 8.8% (5/57).

IGV is prevalent in cirrhotic individuals, while it can also be present in non-cirrhotic patients, such as regional portal hypertension. IGV is usually larger in diameter than esophageal varicose, and the most typical form is Lgf.For IGV, endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection is a safe and efficient approach. Blocking the gastrorenal shunt temporarily with a special balloon during the cyanoacrylate injection process can minimize the risk of ectopic embolism in IGV patients with gastrorenal shunt.