Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
08:45

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Published on: June 27, 2025

[Chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome can cause liver cirrhosis]

Stine Karlsen1, Dennis Tønner Nielsen, Henning Grønbæk

  • 1Medicinsk Afdeling V, Hepatologi og Gastroenterologi, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. stinkarl@rm.dk

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|June 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), a rare liver disease, can cause severe ascites mimicking cancer. Successful transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) relieved symptoms in a challenging case.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Interventional Radiology

Background:

  • Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare hepatic vascular disorder characterized by obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow tract, leading to congestive hepatopathy.
  • Clinical manifestations include ascites, hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, and liver dysfunction, often resulting from thrombosis, malformations, or venous compression.

Observation:

  • A challenging case of liver cirrhosis with refractory ascites was initially suspected to be hepatocellular carcinoma due to nodular appearance.
  • Diagnostic confirmation of BCS was achieved during the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure.

Findings:

  • The patient's BCS was complicated by liver cirrhosis and refractory ascites, posing a diagnostic challenge.
  • Successful vascular stenting during the TIPS procedure effectively resolved the ascites formation.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering BCS in the differential diagnosis of refractory ascites, even when mimicking malignancy.
  • Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with vascular stenting offers a successful therapeutic option for managing ascites in BCS.
  • Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

More Related Videos

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis08:56

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis

Published on: February 10, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology01:21

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology

Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive and irreversible inflammation of the pancreas, most often caused by long-term alcohol abuse, but it can also be related to ductal obstruction, smoking, or genetic factors.Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is repeatedly exposed to harmful agents like alcohol, smoking, ductal obstruction, or genetic predisposition. These factors lead to the release of toxic metabolites and inflammatory cytokines, sustaining chronic inflammation in the pancreatic...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing, relapsing inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible damage to the gland. It results in progressive destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis, and eventual loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. The disease may evolve gradually after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis or develop independently.EtiologyChronic pancreatitis can arise from a variety of causes:Alcohol use is the leading cause, accounting for 70–80% of...