Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava.

Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (MOVC) is a rare clinical entity. The incidence is higher in Japan and Africa than that in USA and Europe. MOVC is considered to be different from the Budd-Chiari syndrome. There are differences in clinical manifestation and pathologic changes in the liver. Findings of the liver revealed cirrhosis in all patients but in one. Ascites and esophageal varices could be observed in 79% and in 58% of the patients, respectively. According to Sugiura's classification, they consisted of Type Ia in 63%, Type Ib in 11%, Type II in 11%, and Type III in 16%. Portopulmonary shunt by splenopneumopexy was successfully performed on 19 patients with MOVC in this clinic, of which diagnosis was established by cavography.