ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate balloon angioplasty and stenting of the hepatic veins for the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome with long segmental inferior vena cava (IVC).Methods The hepatic veins were evaluated by colour Doppler,CT or MR.Epidiaphragmatic inferior vena cavography was performed to locate the stenused opening of the hepatic veins,in case of membrane occlusion of the hepatic veins,a puncture was attempted with Rups100 needle and then balloon dilation of the hepatic veins and stents implantation was carried out.Results In 40 cases of long segmental inferior vena cava ( IVC ) occlusive Budd-Chiari syndrome,membranous obstruction of the hepatic veins was found in 5 cases and short-segmental occlusion in 24 cases.28 cases were successfully treated with balloon dilation and stents implantation,including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) of hepatic vein in 5 cases,and stent implantation in 23 cases,puncture procedure was failed in 1 case.Postoperative follow-up was made in 26 cases from 6 to 62 months ( mean,24.0 ± 1.3 months ).Symptoms recurred in 6 cases.Hepatic vein restenosis or occlusion were observed using color Doppler ultrasound in 6 cases.Conclusions Most lesions in hepatic veins were membranous obstruction or short-segmental occlusion among patients with long-segmental occlusion of IVC.Balloon angioplasty and stenting of hepatic veins for long segmental IVC occlusive Budd-Chiari syndrome through jugular vein can relieve hepatic venous obstruction and relieve portal hypertension.