Curriculum · Gastroenterology
Budd-Chiari syndrome
What it is
Budd-Chiari syndrome is hepatic vein thrombosis secondary to a hypercoagulation status. Among the causes of portal hypertension it is the posthepatic example, as portal vein thrombosis is the prehepatic one, and cirrhosis the intrahepatic and most common cause.
Causes and risk
Polycythemia vera is one setting to know. Its thrombotic complications include Budd-Chiari, that is hepatic vein thrombosis, along with DVT, PE, portal vein thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, all following from increased blood viscosity and increased platelet count or activity.
How it presents
The symptoms are jaundice, ascites and right upper abdominal pain, and the picture is written as acute: acute abdominal pain, acute liver injury and acute ascites from portal hypertension.