BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic vein thrombosis is thought to be manifested by ascites, abdominal pain, and hepatomegaly, with a uniformly poor prognosis. However, new imaging techniques allow for the diagnosis of hepatic vein thrombosis in asymptomatic cases. The aim of our study was to re-evaluate symptoms and prognosis in patients with hepatic vein thrombosis. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with hepatic vein thrombosis were analyzed. Forty-seven patients were admitted from 1970 to June 1987 (group I, before Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were introduced at our hospital) and 34 from July 1987 to June 1991 (group II). RESULTS: When comparing the two groups, age, sex ratio, and causes of hepatic vein thrombosis did not differ. Eight group II patients (asymptomatic patients) had no ascites, hepatomegaly, or abdominal pain. One major hepatic vein remained patent in 41% of group II patients, compared with 12% in group I (P < 0.05). Intrahepatic collaterals were seen in 79% of group II patients, compared with 21% of group I patients (P < 0.01). All asymptomatic patients had large intrahepatic and portasystemic collaterals. At 3 years, death occurred in 22% of group II patients and in 45% of group I patients. No asymptomatic patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic hepatic vein thrombosis is associated with the spontaneous development of large intrahepatic and portosystemic collaterals. In asymptomatic patients, prognosis at 3 years seems to be good, and surgical therapy may not be required.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic vein thrombosis is thought to be manifested by ascites, abdominal pain, and hepatomegaly, with a uniformly poor prognosis. However, new imaging techniques allow for the diagnosis of hepatic vein thrombosis in asymptomatic cases. The aim of our study was to re-evaluate symptoms and prognosis in patients with hepatic vein thrombosis. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with hepatic vein thrombosis were analyzed. Forty-seven patients were admitted from 1970 to June 1987 (group I, before Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were introduced at our hospital) and 34 from July 1987 to June 1991 (group II). RESULTS: When comparing the two groups, age, sex ratio, and causes of hepatic vein thrombosis did not differ. Eight group II patients (asymptomatic patients) had no ascites, hepatomegaly, or abdominal pain. One major hepatic vein remained patent in 41% of group II patients, compared with 12% in group I (P < 0.05). Intrahepatic collaterals were seen in 79% of group II patients, compared with 21% of group I patients (P < 0.01). All asymptomatic patients had large intrahepatic and portasystemic collaterals. At 3 years, death occurred in 22% of group II patients and in 45% of group I patients. No asymptomatic patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic hepatic vein thrombosis is associated with the spontaneous development of large intrahepatic and portosystemic collaterals. In asymptomatic patients, prognosis at 3 years seems to be good, and surgical therapy may not be required.
Authors: P Deltenre; M H Denninger; S Hillaire; M C Guillin; N Casadevall; J Brière; S Erlinger; D C Valla Journal: Gut Date: 2001-02 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: Anders Bay Neumann; Stine Degn Andersen; Dennis Tønner Nielsen; Peter Holland-Fischer; Hendrik Vilstrup; Henning Grønbæk Journal: World J Hepatol Date: 2013-01-27
Authors: Alexandra Zahn; Daniel Gotthardt; Karl Heinz Weiss; Götz Richter; Jan Schmidt; Wolfgang Stremmel; Peter Sauer Journal: BMC Gastroenterol Date: 2010-03-01 Impact factor: 3.067