Spontaneous regression of Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic venous occlusion) in a young female.
A case of occlusion of the hepatic veins in an 18-year-old girl is presented. The onset was sudden with massive ascites and markedly impaired general condition. The diagnosis was based on liver biopsy and angiograms of the caval and hepatic veins as well as of the celiac artery. No predisposing factors could be found. The patient was treated conservatively with laparocentesis and diuretics. Clear improvement was seen after two weeks, and after four weeks she had no ascites and could be discharged. All liver function tests were then normalized. After three months, all diuretics could be withdrawn, and in the following 11 years she has remained completely recovered. The case illustrates that also widespread thrombi of the hepatic veins may sometimes rapidly dissolve spontaneously, with apparent total reconstitution of hepatic function. This case is unusual since previously reported cases have had high mortality rates and, in surviving cases, operative procedures or large doses of diuretics have been required to control the ascites.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006502:Budd-Chiari Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous