Budd-Chiari syndrome

Budd-Chiari syndrome

- Occ1usion of the hepatic veins with or without occ1usion of the inferior vena cava leads to liver failure.

1. Causes inc1ude

- polycythemia rubra vera.

- chronic leukemia.

- paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

- trauma.

- pregnancy.

- congenital membranes.

- oral contraceptive use.

 

2. Clinical features inc1ude -

ascites (always seen).

- hepatomegaly.

- right upper quadrant pain.

 

3. Sonographic findings

a. Ascites and hepatosplenomegaly may be seen.

b. Infarcted liver areas become fibrotic and echogenic.

c. The caudate lobe is often spared because it has a separate blood supply and venous drainage.

d. Color flow Doppler ofthe hepatic veins will show apparent absence of veins, intravenous thrombi, intrahepatic collaterals, and variable vein size.