Acute Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava.

The authors report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava, responsible for an acute Budd-Chiari syndrome. The diagnosis, suggested by lower limb edema, ascites, and renal failure, was confirmed by sonography, CT scan, and pathological examination. A mesoatrial shunt and right atrial thrombectomy were performed under extracorporeal circulation. The inferior vena cava was ligated because the tumor was considered to be unresectable.