POST SINUSOIDAL HEPATIC VENOUS FLOW OBSTRUCTION ASSOCIATED WITH ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

Three cases of postsinusoidal hepatic blood flow obstruction as the ma in feature of antiphospholipid syndrome are reported. Clinically, thes e patients developed jaundice, malaise, ascites and hepatomegaly. Ultr asonography-Doppler and hepatic venography showed small hepatic vein d isease in two and partial occlusion in the suprahepatic segment of inf erior vena cava in the remaining patient. In all, anticardiolipin anti bodies were positive and activated partial thromboplastin time was pro longed. This experience emphasizes that in patients with post sinusoid al portal hypertension, a systematic search for antiphospholipid syndr ome must be carried out.