On barium swallow the grade IV esophageal varices appear as: (A) Mucosal folds above the carina, (B) Mucosal folds below the carina, (C) Mucosal folds at the carina, (D) A thick band
Answer is B. Esophageal varices presents as serpiginous filling defects (arrows) in the esophagus below the level of carina Radiological Grading of varices Grade I- Straight varices seen only on inspiration Grade II- Straight varices seen in all phases of respiration Grade III- Touous varices in lower half of esophagus Grade IV- Touous varices in entire esophagus Ref: surgical disease in tropical countries Pgno : 130