Budd-Chiari syndrome
Last reviewed 05/2021
Originally Budd-Chiari syndrome was characterised by
- hepatomegaly } caused by thrombosis
- ascites and } of the hepatic
- abdominal pain } veins
It is now used to describe thromboses within the hepatic vein, including the adjacent inferior vena cava.
The majority of patients with the Budd-Chiari syndrome present with evidence of rapidly developing abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, and ascites with distension. The pain is presumably caused by distension of the liver capsule or abdominal distension.
Jaundice is usually absent.