Ultrasonography in pediatric Budd-Chiari syndrome

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for vascular diseases of the liver - current indications and open questions

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a widely available and well-tolerated technique that can expand the diagnosis of a variety of vascular liver diseases. This paper presents an overview of the current possibilities of the use of CEUS in vascular liver diseases. Particularly where Doppler sonography has technical limitations, CEUS provides additional opportunities to visualize vascular thrombosis and other obstructions restricting blood flow. When CT or MRI contrast agents cannot be used because of severe allergy or renal insufficiency, CEUS can be a valuable diagnostic alternative and has demonstrated comparable diagnostic performance in at least some vascular liver diseases, such as portal vein thrombosis. In addition, CEUS works without radiation and, therefore, might be particularly suitable for young patients and children. This may be useful, for example, in congenital disorders such as persistent umbilical vein or preduodenal portal vein. Vascular liver disease is rare and comprehensive data are still lacking, but the available literature provides promising insights into potential new ways to study vascular liver disease. Although most studies are based on small sample sizes or even case reports, the high diagnostic utility is undisputed.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome Imaging Diagnosis: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare hepatic vascular disorder defined by the presence of partial or complete impairment of hepatic venous drainage in the absence of right heart failure or constrictive pericarditis. Several conditions can lead to BCS, from hypercoagulable states to malignancies. Primary BCS is the most common subtype, and usually bartends hypercoagulability states, while secondary BCS involves tumor invasion or extrinsic compression. A combination of clinical and imaging features leads to the diagnosis of BCS, including (1) direct signs: occlusion or compression of the hepatic veins and/or inferior vena cava, and the presence of venous collaterals; (2) indirect signs: morphological hepatic changes with caudate lobe enlargement; inhomogeneous enhancement, and hypervascular nodules. From a clinicopathological point of view, two forms of BCS can be distinguished: acute and subacute/chronic BCS, although asymptomatic and fulminant forms are also possible. Acute presentations are rare, and symptoms include hepatomegaly, ascites, and hepatic insufficiency. Subacute/chronic forms are the most common presentation, with dysmorphic liver and variable degrees of fibrosis deposition. Patients with chronic BCS can develop benign regenerative nodules (large regenerative nodules or FNH [Focal Nodular Hyperplasia]-like lesions), but are also at a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The radiologist role is therefore fundamental in both diagnosis and surveillance of BCS. The aim of this review is to present all clinical and imaging signs that can help to reach the diagnosis of BCS, with their clinical significance, providing tips and tricks for the cross-sectional diagnosis of this condition.

Percutaneous hepatic vein recanalization in pediatric Budd-Chiari syndrome - 10 years' experience from a tertiary center

Background

Budd - Chiari syndrome (BCS) due to hepatic venous outflow obstruction is a rare cause of liver disease with dismal outcome, often amenable to catheter intervention.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective single-center study analyzed the clinical profile and medium-term outcome of interventional treatment with balloon angioplasty ± stenting in all pediatric BCS over a 10-year period. Clinical, laboratory, imaging, and interventional data were retrieved. Transhepatic (TH) access was utilized in the recent 3 years.

Results

We included a total of 27 patients. Acute and subacute BCS comprised 93% of subjects. Ascites was the most common symptom. COVID-19 infection and Takayasu arteritis were two novel etiologies in our study. There was isolated hepatic vein (HV) narrowing in 11 (41%), isolated inferior vena cava obstruction in 4, and combined occlusion in 12 (44%). Intervention was successful in 22 (82%) patients. Stenting was required in 14 (64%) patients and the rest underwent balloon angioplasty. The immediate outcome was better with stenting than balloon (91% vs. 64%). Transhepatic access in 6 patients allowed HV cannulation in all and achieved patency in five patients. Two patients from the balloon group (25%) and 9 from the stent group (64%) are alive with patent veins at a median follow-up of 60 months, indicating a high attrition rate.

Conclusion

Catheter interventions restored physiological blood flow in pediatric BCS. TH route improved cannulation of occluded HV compared to other accesses. Immediate and medium-term outcomes were better after stenting with lower rates of reinterventions than balloon angioplasty. Life-long surveillance is required as mortality is high on follow-up.

Utility of Hepatic 2D Shear-Wave Elastography in Monitoring Response to Image-Guided Intervention in Children With Chronic Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Prospective Study

Background: Image-guided interventions for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) reduce hepatic congestion, thereby reducing liver stiffness. Liver stiffness measurements (LSM) by ultrasound may provide a noninvasive marker for assessing treatment response. Objective: To assess the utility of 2D shear-wave elastography (SWE) for monitoring response to image-guided intervention in children with BCS, with attention to changes in LSM in patients with disease recurrence. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included children with chronic BCS and planned image-guided intervention. Color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and 2D SWE were performed at baseline; at 24 hours, one month, and three months after intervention; and thereafter every three months or at the time of clinically suspected recurrence. Eighteen children underwent liver biopsy at the time of intervention for fibrosis staging using METAVIR criteria. Disease recurrence was diagnosed by CDUS. Statistical evaluation was performed using non-parametric tests. Results: A total of 32 children (28 boys, 4 girls; mean age: 9.0 years; range: 3-14 years) were included. Median LSM was at baseline 43.7 kPa [interquartile range (IQR): 33.0-65.4), at 24 hours 22.5 kPa (IQR: 16.8-32.0), at one month 18.7 kPa (IQR: 14.2-32.0), and at three months 16.7 kPa (IQR: 11.5-22.5) (p<.05 for all post-intervention time points vs baseline). Nine (28.1%) patients developed recurrence after intervention at mean of 4.4 months. In one patient with recurrence, LSM was higher at 24 hours (52.3 kPa) than at baseline (44.2 kPa). In the remaining eight patients with recurrence, LSM increased at the time of recurrence compared with the prior post-intervention LSM measurement [median absolute increase of 11.0 kPa (IQR: 6.1-24.4 kPa)]. Fibrosis stage was not significantly correlated with baseline LSM (r=0.11, 95% CI: -0.37, 0.54; p=.51) or 24-hour post-intervention LSM (r=0.39, 95% CI: -0.11, 0.73; p=.11). Conclusion: LSM decreased significantly after image-guided intervention for chronic BCS in children, showing a maximal decrease at 24 hours post-intervention. Disease recurrence was typically associated with an increase in LSM compared with the patient's prior measurement. Clinical Impact: LSM obtained by 2D SWE may serve as a useful quantitative adjunct to CDUS in monitoring children with chronic BCS for disease recurrence after percutaneous interventional treatment.

Rare Case of Budd-Chiari Syndrome in a Young Child: A Diagnostic Conundrum

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is an uncommon vascular disorder in which venous thrombosis prevents the venous outflow of the liver. The obstruction is primarily at the level of hepatic veins and inferior vena cava. Here, we present a case of a two-and-a-half-year-old male child who presented with complaints of abdominal distension for two months and fever and watery diarrhea for one month. Physical examination showed the patient was anemic with palmar erythema. He was started on an empirical treatment of cefotaxime, metronidazole, and amikacin. Sensitivity and culture reports for blood and urine samples were negative, but abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed characteristic findings for BCS with caudate lobe hypertrophy. After the symptomatic treatment of the patient, a liver transplant was suggested as a last resort.