Budd Chiari Syndrome Causes
Budd Chiari syndrome is a condition caused due to the occlusion or obstruction of the hepatic vein. This leads to the triad of symptoms like hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), ascites (fluid in the abdomen), and pain in abdomen.
It was first described by Budd and Chiari hence the name.
It is not a common condition. 1 out of 100000 populations may suffer from this syndrome. Female are more prone to this syndrome.
- In many patients the cause is not found it is idiopathic.
- In other patients main cause is thrombosis of veins of the liver.
- Compression of the liver vein due to tumor, or abscess, or hydatid cyst etc. is the other cause.
- Infections like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis.
- Pregnancy
- Contraceptives pills
- Hematological disorder like polycythemia vera.
- Cancer of hepatic cells.
- Carcinoma of renal cell.
- Trauma and injury
- Obstruction of inferior venacava.
Budd Chiari can be acute, chronic and fulminant.
Symptoms Of Budd Chiari Syndrome
- Icterus( yellow discoloration of the sclera of the eye.)
- Enlarged liver
- Ascites
- Enlarged spleen
- Abdominal pain
- Edema of foot
Diagnosis: When Budd Chiari syndrome is suspected diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound of liver, MRI, liver enzymes study and creatinine, urea, electrolytes.
Treatment For Budd Chiari Syndrome
Medical treatment will be restriction of salt intake, diuretics to control ascites, anticoagulants to control thrombosis.
Surgical intervention such as: Venous shunt, angioplasty of the inferior vena cava if there is obstruction, liver transplant in some advanced cases is performed.
Prognosis: generally 2/3 patients of the patients are alive at 10 years. Prognosis of the patients will also depend on the underlying cause.
In short it is potentially fatal if it is not treated on time.
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My husband was diagnosed with Budd Chiari Syndrome in 1977. His first surgery was a shunt and his second was a by-pass. He has lived a full life for the last 33 years. But now he’s facing liver cancer. Be sure to get yearly exams to keep track of the progress of your condition. Also ask your doctor about all possible, future complications of this disease.
Thank you so much for the updated material on Budd Chiari syndrome. I have been suffering with it for a couple of years now. First the Doctors thought I was crazy. Now they know what I have and am hopefully taking the proper medicines. Anything I can read new or that will help me understand I sure appreciate.