Successful stenting for Budd-Chiari syndrome after pediatric liver transplantation: a case series and review of the literature

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction, known as Budd-Chiari syndrome, is a rare but serious complication of orthotopic liver transplantation and may lead to graft loss. Our aim was to describe a single center experience of percutaneous interventional management of hepatic outflow obstruction post liver transplantation in children. Three children with post-transplant hepatic venous outflow obstruction were treated successfully with percutaneous stent placement. This resulted in long-term resolution of symptoms and was superior to balloon angioplasty both in our series and in cases reported in the literature. Stenting may be the treatment of choice for hepatic venous obstruction after pediatric liver transplantation, particularly if there is a recurrence of stenosis after balloon dilatation.