How deep are varices under skin?

[SMOKEYTIGERlil1]

I hope this question makes sense. but I know I have esophageal and stomach varices. I think I can feel them under my skin over the liver and stomach area. Is this possible or are they deeper than that?

[Hidden]

Gastric and esophageal varices are inside the stomach or the esophagus . You wouldnt be able to feel them by touching your skin. However, sometimes the back up of blood flow in the portal vein causes superficial epigastric or para-umbilical veins to become recanalized and used as shunts. Its known in relation to whats called "Cruveilhier-Baumgarten Syndrome" or "Caput Meduse". These viens would indeed be able to be felt through the skin if they become engorged enough. As the name implies they often can be seen pushing up to the surface of the skin appearing as the snakes on medusa's head. An ultrasound would identify this finding and would be likely labeled on the radiology report as "patent para umbilical recanalization".

Of course always talk to your doctor as this is just my suggestion and not a diagnosis. Hope this may help a bit though.

[SMOKEYTIGERlil1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Wasn't sure what I was feeling under my skin. So it's probably just cysts because the ultrasound doesn't reveal anything like swollen varices. Thanks for your input

[jazzjam]

As Phoenix says, yep. I have the patent umbilical thing (I wouldn’t remember the name without looking it up). On me, this you can feel and see, it is bright blue through my skin and stands out like a varicose vein. Maybe this is what you can feel or see. I had varices in my throat and didn’t have a clue they were there.