Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to hepatic echinococcosis.
OBJECTIVE
Hydatid cyst of liver is a parasitosis which is an endemic state in Tunisia and is a very rare cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical features, radiological investigations and therapeutic management.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 12 patients who underwent surgery for Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to hepatic echinococcosis between January 1990 and December 2004 was performed.


RESULTS
The series included ten females and two males with a mean age of 36 years. Budd-Chiari syndrome was subacute in 75% of cases. Ultrasound showed a compression of hepatic veins by cysts with a mean diameter of 13 cm situated in at least two hepatic segments. US Doppler and CT-scan of the liver provided the diagnosis in all cases. Laparotomy was performed in all cases. Operative mortality was 8% and morbidity 66% due to biliary fistula and deep abscess formation. Hepatic vein outflow was successfully re-established in four patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Budd-Chiari syndrome is a rare but severe complication of hydatid cyst of the liver. Early diagnosis is necessary to improve prognosis.
Bedioui
Heykal
H
Service de chirurgie A, Hôpital La Rabta, Tunis. h_bdioui@yahoo.fr
Nouira
Kais
K
Ayadi
Sofiene
S
Daghfous
Amine
A
Bakhtri
Malek
M
Ksantini
Rachid
R
Chebbi
Faouzi
F
Fteriche
Fadhel
F
Jouini
Mohamed
M
Kacem
Montassar
M
Emna
Mnif
M
Ben Safta
Zoubeir
Z
D000328:Adult; D006502:Budd-Chiari Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies