Clin Mol Hepatol.  2016 Mar;22(1):183-187. 10.3350/cmh.2016.22.1.183.

Regression of esophageal varices during entecavir treatment in patients with hepatitis-B-virus-related liver cirrhosis

• Jwa HY
• Cho YK
• Choi EK
• Kim HU
• Song HJ
• Na SY
• Boo SJ
• Jeong SU
• Kim BS
• Lee BW
• Song BC

• KMID: 2363038
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2016.22.1.183

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that liver cirrhosis is reversible after administering oral nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy to patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, few studies have addressed whether esophageal varices can regress after such therapy. We report a case of complete regression of esophageal varices during entecavir therapy in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis, suggesting that complications of liver cirrhosis such as esophageal varices can regress after the long-term suppression of HBV replication.

Keyword

Hepatitis B virus; Entecavir; Esophageal varices; Liver cirrhosis

MeSH Terms

Abdomen/diagnostic imaging
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use
DNA, Viral/blood
Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications/prevention & control
Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use
Hepatitis B virus/genetics
Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications/*drug therapy/virology
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis/*diagnosis/etiology
Male
Middle Aged
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ultrasonography
Antiviral Agents
DNA, Viral
Guanine