Incomplete membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava. Hemodynamic measurements and correction by balloon membranotomy and surgical resection

M. Horisawa, T. Yokoyama, H. Juttner and T. B. Reynolds

This report discusses a patient with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, initially thought to be caused by chronic bile duct obstruction or chronic hepatitis B. For evaluation of portal hypertension, hepatic vein catheterization was performed, disclosing incomplete membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava at the level of the diaphragm--the probable cause of the liver disease. The obstruction was corrected by balloon membranotomy and surgical resection of the membrane. Hepatic vein catheterization in patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension allows detection of this lesion as well as evaluation of hepatic and portal hemodynamics.