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Imaging of Budd-Chiari syndrome

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Abstract

Budd-Chiari syndrome occurs when venous outflow from the liver is obstructed. The obstruction may occur at any point from the hepatic venules to the left atrium. The syndrome most often occurs in patients with underlying thrombotic disorders such as polycythemia rubra vera, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and pregnancy. It may also occur secondary to a variety of tumours, chronic inflammatory diseases and infections. Imaging plays an important role both in establishing the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome as well as evaluating for underlying causes and complications such as portal hypertension. In this review article, we discuss the role of modern imaging in the evaluation of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital (AMNCH), Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland

    O. Buckley, J. O’ Brien, A. Snow, H. Stunell & W. C. Torreggiani

  2. Department of Radiology, Cheltenham Hospital, Cheltenham, UK

    I. Lyburn

  3. Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada

    P. L. Munk

Authors
  1. O. Buckley
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  2. J. O’ Brien
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  3. A. Snow
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  4. H. Stunell
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  5. I. Lyburn
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  6. P. L. Munk
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  7. W. C. Torreggiani
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Correspondence to W. C. Torreggiani.

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Buckley, O., O’ Brien, J., Snow, A. et al. Imaging of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Eur Radiol 17, 2071–2078 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0537-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0537-2

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