[Inotuzumab ozogamicin-associated sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease diagnosed by transjugular liver biopsy].

A 75-year-old man diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia did not respond to standard induction chemotherapy, but was successfully treated with inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO). Although ascites developed after three cycles of InO, the clinical criteria for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)/veno-occlusive disease (VOD) were not met due to the absence of jaundice and hepatomegaly. However, an increase in the HokUS-6 score from 1 to 4 led us to discontinue InO, considering the risk of SOS/VOD. Three months later, the ascites recurred and a transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) was performed, resulting in a pathological diagnosis of SOS/VOD. Although the symptoms associated with SOS/VOD temporarily improved with recombinant thrombomodulin and other supportive care, the ascites returned 1 month later along with jaundice. The patient died of liver failure progression that showed no improvement with defibrotide. Pathological examination at autopsy revealed enlarged endothelial cells and fibrosis of the central hepatic vein. In cases where the diagnosis of SOS/VOD is inconclusive based on clinical findings and HokUS scores, TJLB may facilitate earlier diagnosis and effective therapeutic decision-making for SOS/VOD.