Budd-Chiari syndrome in women taking oral contraceptives.

The report concerns a 21-year-old woman who, after having taken oral contraceptives for three months, developed the Budd-Chiari syndrome as the results of a widespread chronic obliterative process involving the intrahepatic venous system. The diagnosis was established by liver biopsy. She was treated with supportive measures and completely recovered after 28 days of hospitalization. The literature is reviewed regarding the Budd-Chiari syndrome in women taking oral contraceptives and the clinical and pathological features seen in those reported patients are discussed.