Panchkula, Jan 30: In a case that underscores the risks of overlooking rare liver disorders, doctors at Paras Health Panchkula successfully treated a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with Budd Chiari Syndrome, a rare condition caused by blockage of veins draining blood from the liver. The patient had previously been treated at multiple hospitals for what was believed to be chronic liver disease, delaying appropriate intervention and allowing her condition to deteriorate.
By the time she reached Paras Health Panchkula, the patient was facing severe complications, including massive abdominal fluid accumulation (ascites), dangerously high pressure in the liver’s blood circulation, declining liver function, and worsening kidney health. The prolonged illness had significantly disrupted her ability to carry out daily activities and placed her at risk of organ failure.
A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Akash Gandotra, Consultant Gastroenterology, along with Dr. Mohnish Kataria, Senior Consultant Gastroenterology, and Dr. Karamvir Chandel, Interventional Radiologist, undertook a comprehensive reassessment of the patient’s condition. While managing the patient’s advanced liver disease and associated complications, therapeutic drainage of abdominal fluid raised clinical suspicion that the disease process might not be consistent with routine chronic liver disease, prompting the team to pursue further specialised evaluation.
“Budd Chiari Syndrome is fundamentally a vascular problem of the liver, but it often presents like end-stage liver disease. If the underlying venous blockage is not identified early, patients may be pushed toward transplantation unnecessarily. Precision imaging and clinical suspicion make all the difference in changing outcomes,”
Dr. Akash Gandotra, Consultant Gastroenterology, Paras Health Panchkula.
Following diagnosis, the patient and her family were counselled on available treatment pathways, including liver transplantation and a minimally invasive alternative known as Direct Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (DIPS). With no immediate donor available and the urgency of relieving liver pressure, the medical team proceeded with DIPS as a definitive, life-saving intervention.
The two-hour procedure involved creating a controlled channel within the liver to divert blood directly into a major vein leading to the heart, bypassing the blocked hepatic veins. This restored blood flow, reduced pressure within the liver, and addressed the root cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Clinical improvement was rapid. The patient reported relief within hours of the procedure, and over the following days, abdominal swelling reduced markedly. At a one-month follow-up, liver and kidney function tests had normalised, and she was able to return to her routine life without discomfort.
Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Facility Director, Paras Health Panchkula, said,
“This case reflects a shift in how complex liver conditions should be approached. With the right expertise and infrastructure, many patients can be stabilised or even reversed without rushing into transplantation. Early diagnosis combined with advanced interventional care can dramatically change the disease trajectory.”
Clinicians at Paras Health Panchkula noted that persistent abdominal swelling, unexplained liver dysfunction, or progressive kidney impairment should not be dismissed as routine liver disease. Such symptoms warrant evaluation at centres equipped with specialised liver care and interventional radiology capabilities.
Now recovering steadily, the patient has chosen to share her experience to raise awareness about rare liver conditions and the importance of seeking timely, specialised medical assessment before irreversible damage occurs.