Acquired hydrocephalus associated with superior vena cava syndrome in infants

• Published in: Child's nervous system Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 59 - 63
• Main Authors: MCLAUGHLIN, J. F, LOESER, J. D, ROBERTS, T. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.02.1997
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hernia, Diaphragmatic - therapy; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; Humans; Hydrocephalus - diagnostic imaging; Hydrocephalus - etiology; Hydrocephalus - surgery; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Neurologic Examination; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Retrospective Studies; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - complications; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - surgery; Thrombectomy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Transposition of Great Vessels - surgery; Human; Nervous system diseases; Acquired; Cardiovascular disease; Thrombosis; Cerebral disorder; Communicating hydrocephaly; Vascular disease; Case study; Newborn; Treatment; Vena cava disease; Etiology; Surgery; Central nervous system disease; Complication; Obliteration; Child; Superior vena cava
• ISSN: 0256-7040; 1433-0350
• DOI: 10.1007/s003810050042

We report observations on children with the unusual combination of superior vena cava syndrome in infancy followed by communicating hydrocephalus. Following retrospective review of hospital discharges at a tertiary children's hospital, three children were identified in a 13-year period. Two term infants were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pulmonary failure associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. These infants had septic complications of central venous lines. A post-term infant required reconstruction of the superior vena cava following cannulation for cardiac bypass surgery to repair transposition of the great vessels. Thrombosis occurred and was followed by the sequential development of superior vena cava syndrome and communicating hydrocephalus. The findings in these patients suggest that communicating hydrocephalus may be caused by superior vena cava syndrome. This is an unusual complication of therapeutic manipulation of the heart and great veins. Cerebrospinal fluid shunting may be required.