Superior vena cava syndrome with retropharyngeal edema as a complication of ventriculoatrial shunt.
Thirty-seven-year old female with hydrocephalus managed by a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt presented with upper body edema, dysphagia, and headache. Imaging demonstrated thrombosis of the superior vena cava (SVC). Direct catheter thrombolysis led to resolution of thrombus burden. Superior vena cava thrombosis is a rare consequence of VA shunting and must be managed emergently.
Department of Radiology, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Mohammed S
MS
Al-Natour
Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Pouya
P
Entezami
Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Munier M S
MM
Nazzal
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Andrew B
AB
Casabianca
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Ragheb
R
Assaly
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Kalen
K
Riley
Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio.
Daniel
D
Gaudin
Retropharyngeal edema; superior vena cava syndrome; ventriculoatrial shunt