Two cases of left upper extremity thrombophlebitis following left cerebrospi nal fluid, (CSF) shunt implantation are reported. Signs and symptoms appeared in the early postoperative period (at days 5 and 15 respectively).
Thrombosis of the axillary vein was demonstrated by Doppler examination and phlebography. Both patients were given anticoagulant therapy with a favor able clinical outcome . No pulmonary embolism or catheter dysfunction occurred.
The patients remained free of any disability after a two and three-year follow-up, respectively, without relapsing thrombosis after discontinuation of therapy.
These 2 cases occurred in the only 2 adult-patients in whom a left CSF shunt was implanted. No thrombotic complications occurred among 153 patients with a right implantation of the device. Thus, the course of the catheter through the left brachiocephalic vein has to be taken into account in the pathogenicity of this complication.
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