Budd-Chiari Syndrome Due To Echinococcus Multilocularis Infection: A Case Report

Hepatic vein obstruction is associated to a clinical and pathological presentation named the Budd-Chiari syndrome, including hepatic sinusoidal dilatation and congestion, ascites and abdominal pain, as a result of hepatic outflow block. Echinococcal disease is caused by infection with the metacestode stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus. The most common presenting symptoms include malaise, weight loss, and right upper quadrant discomfort due to hepatomegaly. Hepatic vein invasion, typically associated to Echinococcus multilocularis has rarely been described .We provide here a detailed observation of a acute Budd-Chiari syndrome due to Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Detection of Budd-Chiari syndrome in case of Echinococcus multilocularis infection is important for the appropriate treatment. The radiological evidence of hepatic vein thrombosis, enlarged liver, increased abdominal pain, congestion around the central vein of the liver lobule at histology, elevated portal pressure, raised serum aminotransferases and presence of ascites rendered the diagnosis of the Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) most likely. 1