Three benefits of microcatheters for retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices

Figure 3 Microcoil embolization of collateral veins. A: Pericardiophrenic veins (arrows) develop as collateral draining veins; B: A microcatheter (arrow) is navigated into the pericardiophrenic vein and microcoil embolization is performed; C: The sclerosant is selectively injected through the microcatheter which is withdrawn a little, and the gastric varices are opacified sufficiently. Microcoils (arrow) from embolization and surgical clips from previous operation of gastric cancer. (arrowhead) are seen; D: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) before balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) shows gastric varices (asterisk); E: CE-CT next day after BRTO shows complete thrombosis of the varices (asterisk) and microcoils close to the varices (arrow).