Published online Apr 28, 2015. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i6.903
Peer-review started: July 27, 2014
First decision: August 14, 2014
Revised: August 29, 2014
Accepted: March 4, 2015
Article in press: March 5, 2015
Published online: April 28, 2015
AIM: To study the clinical presentation of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and identify the aetiologies of this disease in Algeria.
METHODS: Patients with BCS, hospitalised in our unit from January 2004 until June 2010 were included and the aetiological factors were assessed. Patients presenting a BCS in the setting of advanced-stage cirrhosis or a liver transplantation were excluded from the study. The diagnosis was established when an obstruction of hepatic venous outflow (thrombosis, stenosis or compression) was demonstrated. We diagnosed myeloproliferative disease (MPD) by bone marrow biopsy and V617F JAK2 mutation. Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APLS) was detected by the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, anti-β2 glycoprotein antibodies and Lupus anticoagulant. We also detected paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) by flow cytometry. Celiac disease and Behçet disease were systematically investigated in our patients. Hereditary anticoagulant protein deficiencies were also assessed. We tested our patients for the G20210A mutation at Beaujon Hospital. Imaging procedures were performed to determine a local cause of BCS, such as a hydatid cyst or a liver tumour.
RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients were included. Mean follow up: 32.12 mo. Mean age: 34.41 years, M/F = 0.64. Chronic presentation was frequent: 63.5%. The revealing symptoms for the BCS were ascites (74.8%) and abdominal pain (42.6%). The most common site of thrombosis was the hepatic veins (72.2%). Involvement of the inferior vena cava alone was observed in 3 patients. According to the radiological investigations, BCS was primary in 94.7% of the cases (n = 109) and secondary in 5.2% (n = 6). An aetiology was identified in 77.4% of the patients (n = 89); it was multifactorial in 27% (n = 31). The predominant aetiology of BCS in our patients was a myeloproliferative disease, observed in 34.6% of cases. APLS was found in 21.7% and celiac disease in 11.4%. Other acquired conditions were: PNH (n = 4), systemic disease (n = 6) and inflammatory bowel disease (n = 5). Anticoagulant protein deficiency was diagnosed in 28% of the patients (n = 18), dominated by protein C deficiency (n = 13). Secondary BCS was caused by a compressing hydatic cyst (n = 5) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1).
CONCLUSION: The main aetiologic factor of BCS in Algeria is MPD. The frequency of celiac disease justifies its consideration when BCS is diagnosed in our region.
Core tip: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease, but it seems quite common in our country and in North Africa in general. However, we do not know the etiological features of this disease in our region. We collected 115 cases of BCS in 6 years. A fairly complete etiologic assessment was achieved. We identified the cause of BCS in 77%. It was multifactorial in 27%. The etiologies were dominated by the myeloproliferative disease 34%, followed by antiphospholipid syndrome in 21%. Finally, the etiological distribution in our patients does not differ too much from what is reported in Western countries.