Budd-Chiari syndrome following abdominal trauma

Abstract

We report a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) in a 44-year-old man with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis and nephrotic syndrome. This case was complicated by right atrial clot and pulmonary emboli. Endothelial injury of the IVC was the likely mechanism, following a kick from a donkey. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a large thrombosis located in a segment of IVC near its orifice in the right atrium. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed IVC thrombosis that extended to the right atrium; however, pulmonary emboli (PE) were not documented in TTE. Intraoperative exploration revealed multiple clots in the main and left pulmonary artery branches. The patient recovered well after open-heart surgery with resection of the right atrium, IVC, and pulmonary artery emboli. BCS should be routinely considered for patients with nephrotic syndrome.