Ultrasonic demonstration of clinical and subclinical hepatic venous thrombosis in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

Extensive hepatic venous thrombosis was demonstrated by ultrasonic scanning in three patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). The ultrasonography results were confirmed by X-ray venography. Two of these patients were without clinical symptoms of hepatic involvement apart from a slight increase in transaminases. This study indicates, firstly, that ultrasonic scanning is a rapid and reliable diagnostic tool in monitoring patients for this serious and often fatal complication, and, secondly, that hepatic venous thrombosis may be a more common complication in PNH than previously assumed.