Spiral computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography evaluation in Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Budd-Chiari syndrome is caused by the obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow at the level of the hepatic venules, large hepatic veins, and inferior vena cava up to the confluence with the right atrium. When it is untreated, the mortality rate for patients is high. Because the clinical presentation of this syndrome is nonspecific, imaging investigation--computed tomography and magnetic resonance--are important diagnostic steps.