A case of systemic sclerosis complicated by idiopathic portal hypertension: case report and literature review

Mod Rheumatol. 2006;16(3):183-7. doi: 10.1007/s10165-006-0479-1.

Abstract

We encountered a 62-year-old woman who had systemic sclerosis (SSc) complicated by idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH). She had a 10-year history of scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon. She also had pancytopenia, splenomegaly, and esophageal varices. Treatment with prednisolone and endoscopic variceal ligation resulted in improvement of her symptoms. According to our literature review, the prognosis of patients with SSc complicated by IPH is relatively poor. However, the factors that predict outcome of these patients have not been elucidated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / therapy
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / etiology
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / surgery
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / complications*
  • Hypertension, Portal / etiology*
  • Ligation
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / therapy
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Prognosis
  • Raynaud Disease / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone