[Mesenterico-atrial shunt in Budd-Chiari syndrome with inferior vena cava thrombosis. Report of 2 cases].

Two new cases of Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava are reported. The predominant clinical sign was ascites, and the diagnosis was suggested by ultrasound and confirmed by angiography and the imaging techniques. In one case, the etiological assessment revealed an association with an oral contraceptive treatment; the etiological research remained negative in the other case. A mesenterico-atrial shunt was performed in both patients, and its patency was controlled with magnetic resonance imaging: both shunts are functional after 38 and 45 months respectively. On the basis of these two cases, the diagnostic process, the surgical indications and the choice of the techniques are discussed. The mesenterico-atrial shunt described by Cameron and Maddrey in 1978 seems to be an interesting and reliable therapeutic choice for the Budd-Chiari syndrome with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava.