Clinical observations on veno-occlusive disease of the liver in Jamaican adults

The clinical features of veno-occlusive disease of the liver (V.O.D.) in Jamaica are described, with details of four cases occurring in adults. The mechanisms of hepatomegaly and ascites formation are briefly considered. It is thought that in acute cases they are the mechanical results of hepatic congestion produced by occlusion of the hepatic venous radicles. A comparison has been drawn with the experimental ascites produced by ligation of the thoracic inferior vena cava in animals. Treatment with a high-protein diet and fluid and salt restriction is suggested. The difficulty in assessing response to treatment is stressed.(AU)