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Early mediastinal seroma secondary to modified Blalock-Taussig shunts — successful management by percutaneous drainage

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Abstract

Background

Large symptomatic mediastinal seroma following modified-BT shunts, traditionally required revisional thoracotomy.

Objective

We describe percutaneous image-guided pigtail catheter drainage in the successful treatment of early mediastinal seroma secondary to PTFE Blalock-Taussig shunt, avoiding thoracotomy.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of all relevant clinical and imaging records in five patients was performed.

Results

All five presented with intermittent stridor, respiratory distress and/or episodic desaturation within 6 weeks of their surgery. In four of five infants, percutaneous drainage was effective and reoperation was avoided. In one of five, rather than urgent surgical evacuation and BT shunt revision, we were able to perform an elective stage-II bidirectional Glenn SVC-RA anastamosis in a stable infant. There were no complications.

Conclusions

Percutaneous image-guided drainage of mediastinal seroma secondary to PTFE-BT shunt is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective treatment. This may avoid BT shunt revision.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Image Guided Therapy, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada

    Bairbre L. Connolly, Michael J. Temple, Peter G. Chait & Ricardo Restrepo

  2. Department of Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada

    Ian Adatia

Authors
  1. Bairbre L. Connolly
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  2. Michael J. Temple
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  3. Peter G. Chait
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  4. Ricardo Restrepo
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  5. Ian Adatia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bairbre L. Connolly.

Additional information

Presented at ESPR May 2000

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Connolly, B.L., Temple, M.J., Chait, P.G. et al. Early mediastinal seroma secondary to modified Blalock-Taussig shunts — successful management by percutaneous drainage. Pediatr Radiol 33, 495–498 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-003-0898-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-003-0898-5

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