What is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis that can lead to gastric varices?

• A. Splenorenal shunt
• B. Splenic vein thrombosis
• C. Portal vein obstruction
• D. Pseudocyst formation

Answer: (B)

Splenic vein thrombosis is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis that can lead to gastric varices. In chronic pancreatitis, inflammation and scarring of the pancreas can extend to surrounding structures, including the splenic vein. When the splenic vein becomes thrombosed, it impedes normal venous drainage from the spleen, which can result in increased pressure in the splenic venous system.

This increased pressure can subsequently propagate to the gastric veins, causing the development of gastric varices. The presence of these varices is concerning because they are at risk of rupture, leading to significant gastrointestinal bleeding.

Other options, while related to venous complications, do not directly lead to gastric varices in the same manner. For instance, pseudocyst formation can happen due to chronic pancreatitis, but it does not directly cause the same venous obstruction and pressure changes leading to variceal development. Similarly, while portal vein obstruction is a serious condition, it is less directly related to the specific pathway of splenic vein thrombosis leading to gastric varices. A splenorenal shunt is a surgical intervention sometimes used to treat portal hypertension but is not a complication of chronic pancreatitis itself.