Portal hypertension

Many of the drugs and procedures used to treat portal hypertension originated in the realm of adult care. The Center for Childhood Liver Disease has been at the forefront of adapting these adult procedures for children, including development of techniques and tools appropriate for a child’s smaller body.

Our physicians are also early adopters of a new wireless endoscopy technology for liver disease surveillance and treatment. Wireless esophageal endoscopy centers on the use of a capsule containing two cameras. The child swallows the battery-powered capsule; the cameras take many photographs per second as the capsule travels through the esophagus. This gives physicians a very clear view of any varices in the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract, does not require any sedation or anesthesia, and is much more comfortable than standard endoscopy.