Sonography in Budd-Chiari syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of sonographic manifestations of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).


METHODS
Patients were scanned with ultrasound systems using mainly a 2- to 5-MHz curvilinear transducer and in some patients a 5- to 12-MHz linear transducer. The patients were asked to fast from the previous night or for at least 6 hours. Color and spectral Doppler sonography was performed in all patients.


RESULTS
Commonly seen findings in BCS include inferior vena cava (IVC) webs and thrombi, IVC narrowing, hepatic venous thrombosis, enlarged caudate lobes, ascites, intrahepatic or extrahepatic collaterals, monophasic to absent flow in the hepatic veins, and high flow velocities in areas of stenosis in the IVC or hepatic veins. Inferior vena cava stents used in the treatment of BCS could also be seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Budd-Chiari syndrome is an uncommon disorder; outcome is poor in many cases; and the condition is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. Sonography is a noninvasive and effective modality for diagnosis of BCS.
Thane Ultrasound Centre, Shanti Nivas, Dr Moose Road, Talaopali, Thane 400601, India. chaubal@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Nitin
N
Chaubal
Manjiri
M
Dighe
Vijay
V
Hanchate
Hemangini
H
Thakkar
Hemant
H
Deshmukh
Krantikumar
K
Rathod
D006502:Budd-Chiari Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods