Hepatic veno-occlusive disease in a renal transplant patient receiving azathioprine.

Central vein phlebitis and occlusion developed in a patient who was receiving immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine (Imuran) and prednisone after renal transplantation. He had been well for 1 year before evidence of liver disease was noted; once begun, it progressed to hepatocellular failure in spite of a change in immunosuppressants from azathioprine to cyclophosphamide. Several known causes of venoocclusive disease and the possible causes in this patient are discussed.