Dilatation of preexisting venous collateral pathways as a possible treatment option in patients with Budd–Chiari Syndrom

Treatment of inferior vena cava (IVC) over-long segmental occlusion in Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) remains challenging. IVC segmental occlusion in BCS is often associated mainly with hepatic vein lesions in BCS, while the accessory hepatic vein (AHV) is typically patent and more intrahepatic collateral vessels are widely well-developed. Herein, we report our use of angioplasty for hepatic venous or the accessory hepatic vein for long segmental occlusion of the IVC in two BCS cases, rather than opening the IVC, in cases with a well-developed intrahepatic collateral.

This method provides satisfactory outcome in short follow-up period of 8 and 5 months respectively, and is practical and feasible.