Last update:
   17-Sep-2004
 

Arch Hellen Med, 18(1), January-Febuary 2001, 69-72

SHORT COMMUNICATION

An unusual case of Budd-Chiari syndrome

Α. MICHAEL,1 S.P. DOURAKIS,1 E. BROUTZOS,2
E. ΝOMIKOU,1 D.A. KELEKIS,1 S.J. HADZIYANNIS1
1Academic Department of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens,
2Second Academic Department of Radiology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Budd-Chiari syndrome is defined as obstruction of hepatic venous outflow due to occlusion at any site from the hepatic veins to the entry of the inferior vena cava into the right atrium. The obstruction of the hepatic veins is clinically different from the obstruction of the inferior vena cava. The case is presented of a 34 year-old woman with hepatosplenomegaly, ascites and dilated veins over the trunk of the body. Ultrasound and CT imaging of the abdomen showed obstruction of the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava. Vena cavography showed total obstruction of the inferior vena cava. During cavography balloon angioplasty of the occlusion and stenting was performed which was followed by improvement in the clinical picture. In conclusion, Budd-Chiari syndrome due to vena cava obstruction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic liver disease. Vena cavography is important for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.

Key words: Budd-Chiari syndrome, Obstruction of the inferior vena cava.

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