Budd-Chiari Syndrome

Obstruction of hepatic venous outflow at the hepatic veins or nearby inferior vena cava, producing congestion within the liver.
Patients may develop abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, ascites, portal hypertension or progressive liver dysfunction.
Doppler ultrasound is commonly the first imaging test, with CT, MRI or venography used to define anatomy and obstruction.
Treatment can involve anticoagulation, management of the underlying prothrombotic cause, angioplasty or stenting, TIPS, or liver transplantation.
Severity ranges from incidental chronic disease to acute liver failure, so treatment strategy depends on presentation and hepatic reserve.