Hepatic veno-occlusive disease induced by Gymura segetum: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND:Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is associated with a high mortality because of its severity. Gymura segetum, a Chinese herbal medicine, is always used to cure injury and bleeding in rural areas in China. This study was undertaken to better understand VOD and its relations to the effect of Gymura segetum. METHODS:Between 2000 and 2002, two patients were admitted to our department because of VOD. Before admission, both of them had been injured and taken oral decoction of patent drug Gymura segetum. We analyzed the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and therapy of the two patients. RESULTS:Pyrrolizidine in Panax notginseng was proved to induce VOD. The diagnosis of VOD depended on hepatic biopsy. CONCLUSION:Gymura segetum can induce VOD. More attention should be paid to its unsuscepted side effects.