A three-year-old boy diagnosed with Budd-Chiari syndrome and myoclonic epilepsy, life-threatening disorders, has made a remarkable recovery at KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, thanks to a multidisciplinary team’s expertise.
Admitted in September with severe abdominal swelling, breathing difficulties, and weighing just 12kg, the child had a massively distended abdomen measuring 63cm. Previous treatments for epilepsy included oral anticonvulsants. Doctors identified Budd-Chiari syndrome, where all three hepatic veins were blocked, leading to fluid buildup, liver dysfunction, and clotting abnormalities.
Due to unstable clinical conditions and insufficient vein calibre, surgery was deemed unfeasible. This posed a critical challenge in relieving the vein blockages while restoring liver functionality.
A specialized team led by Dr. Soundarya (paediatrician), Dr. Keerthiraj (interventional neuro-radiologist), Dr. Vijay Kumar (paediatric intensivist), Dr. Machiah (radiologist), and Dr. Sunil (anaesthetist) devised an innovative plan. They performed a high-precision interventional procedure, inserting a stent via a direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS) to bypass the blockage and restore blood flow.
“The case required addressing both his liver and epilepsy conditions concurrently,” explained Dr. Soundarya, highlighting the complexity of the treatment.
Despite initial critical complications, the boy’s condition steadily improved, with normalized liver function and no lingering symptoms. “DIPS was pivotal in decompressing portal hypertension and ensuring recovery,” added Dr. Keerthiraj.
The child is now thriving, reflecting the success of this pioneering treatment.
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