title: Budd-Chiari syndrome from an advanced practice nurse perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with a case study and literature review of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). This rare liver disease has a multitude of clinical presentations that NPs may encounter in the primary care setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted in Pub-Med and CINAHL using key search words. Information for the case study was obtained from a patient and his gastroenterology specialist, who is a foremost expert in this field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BCS is complex and may be difficult to diagnose because of its atypical clinical presentation. Delayed diagnosis can affect the quality and quantity of a patient's life. Increasing NPs' awareness about this rare condition through a case presentation and review of the literature emphasizes the major factors for accurate diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of BCS can assist the NP in identifying this syndrome and making prompt, appropriate referrals.
authors.affiliation: Family Medical Group, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
authors.forename: Lourdes S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Pahuriray
authors.forename: Patricia T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Alpert
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kowalski
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D006502:Budd-Chiari Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015984:Causality; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D035583:Rare Diseases; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index