Isolated gastric varices -- a separate entity. Report of two cases.

Gastric varices may develop in the absence of oesophageal varices and in the absence of portal hypertension. Isolated gastric varices have only recently emerged as a separate entity. The condition is usually due to underlying pancreatic lesions. The diagnosis is made on endoscopy. Bleeding from the varices is best controlled by splenectomy, while the pancreatic lesion is dealt with on its own merits. Two cases are described to draw attention to this condition, and the salient features of this condition are summarized diagrammatically.