see also:

• splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT)
• liver function tests (LFTs)
• hepatitis
• World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Budd-Chiari syndrome: Etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis

• Budd-Chiari syndrome is a congestive hepatopathy caused by blockage of hepatic veins which also causes raised portal venous pressure which may lead to portal hypertension, ascites, etc.
• occurs in 1/100,000 of the general population worldwide
• 75% of cases are due to thrombosis of the hepatic vein and these are regarded as being “Primary BCS”
• 25% are caused by external compression of the hepatic vein “Secondary BCS”
• this is different to the related condition of veno-occlusive disease which can occur in bone marrow transplant recipients as a complication of their medications, and also with certain herbs

• polycythaemia rubra vera
• pregnancy
• postpartum
• combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP)
• paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria - 12% develop BCS
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• other pro-thrombotic tendencies eg. thrombophilia
• aspergillosis
• Behçet's disease
• trauma

• tumours
• tuberculosis (TB)
• congental venous webs
• IVC stenosis

• abnormal liver function tests (LFTs)
• jaundice
• hepatosplenomegaly
• ascites
• and later, hepatic encephalopathy