A Case of Budd-Chiari Syndrome Diagnosed in the Early Stage -Image Diagnosis and Treatment by Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty-

Kenji Kakizaki, Michinori Takahashi, Yasunori Kikuchi, Syu Kikuchi, Hidemi Yamauchi

Department of Surgery, Sendai National Hospital

A 25-year-old man complained of right upper quadrant pain and shortness of breath only on effort over a two-year period. On physical examination the patient appeared healthy. Neither ascites, leg edema nor dilated abdominal veins was noticed. Ultrasonic examination revealed communicating vessels between hepatic veins, enlarged inferior right hepatic vein and reversed blood flow in the hepatic vein, leading us to the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed by inferior vena cavography. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed easily and successfully by using an Inoue balloon catheter. The symptoms disappeared completely and immediately after treatment. The diagnosis of this condition could be made by ultrasonic examination easily, and transluminal angioplasty by Inoue catheter was effective and safe for the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Key words
Budd-Chiari syndrome, ultrasonic findings, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Reprint requests
Kenji Kakizaki Department of Surgery, Sendai National Hospital
2-8-8 Miyagino, Sendai, 983 JAPAN

Accepted
April 14, 1993

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