Aortocaval compression syndrome is compression of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus when a pregnant woman lies on her back, i.e. in the supine position.

What is Aortocaval?

Aortocaval compression syndrome is also known as a supine hypotensive syndrome. This pathophysiologic state occurs in a pregnant female, typically after 20 weeks gestation, when the patient is placed in the percent position.

Where is the aortic lymph node located?

The para-aortic lymph nodes (PANs) are located around the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava and are the regional lymph nodes of the intraperitoneal organs.

What causes enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes?

Secondary Causes More often than not, the cause of swollen retroperitoneal lymph nodes will be secondary, meaning that they are collaterally affected by a disease or disorder affecting an organ within or near the retroperitoneum. These include such as organs as: Adrenal glands. Ascending or descending colon and …

What causes Aortocaval compression?

Aortocaval compression (ACC) occurs when the gravid uterus compresses the maternal abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC). Compression of the IVC impedes venous return which decreases cardiac output (CO), and compression of the aorta may reduce uteroplacental perfusion which may result in fetal acidosis.

How is Aortocaval compression prevented?

Avoidance of the supine position in late pregnancy, to prevent aortocaval compression (ACC) by the gravid uterus, is a fundamental principle in the management of pregnant women, particularly during labor or at cesarean delivery.

What is an abnormal size for a lymph node?

Size. Nodes are generally considered to be normal if they are up to 1 cm in diameter; however, some authors suggest that epitrochlear nodes larger than 0.5 cm or inguinal nodes larger than 1.5 cm should be considered abnormal. 7,8 Little information exists to suggest that a specific diagnosis can be based on node size.

What is an Aortocaval fistula?

Aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm, which erodes into the wall of the inferior vena cava, resulting in the formation of a fistula. ACF presents with various inconsistent symptoms and signs. ACF can be a diagnostic dilemma if not suspected and it is lethal if left untreated.

How do you say Aortocaval?

Where are mesenteric lymph nodes located?

Lymph nodes are present in the mesentery of the right lower quadrant (arrowhead) along with stranding of the mesenteric fat (short arrow), which reflects the inflammatory process.

Where is the left supraclavicular lymph node located?

Supraclavicular lymph nodes are lymph nodes found above the clavicle, that can be felt in the supraclavicular fossa. The supraclavicular lymph nodes on the left side are called Virchow’s nodes. It leads to an appreciable mass that can be recognized clinically, called Troisier sign.

What is enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes?

Retroperitoneal lymph nodes are palpated, and suspicious or enlarged nodes are biopsied, including debulking of all obvious retroperitoneal lymphatic spread and removal of any large, bulky areas of metastatic tissue in the peritoneum.

What is para-aortic lymph node metastasis?

Paraaortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis is considered an important prognostic factor in several abdominal and pelvic malignancies, such as stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and cervical cancer[1-4].

What is the normal size of a para-aortic lymph node?

The upper limits of normal by location were as follows: retrocrural space, 6 mm; paracardiac, 8 mm; gastrohepatic ligament, 8 mm; upper paraaortic region, 9 mm; portacaval space, 10 mm; porta hepatis, 7 mm; and lower paraaortic region, 11 mm.

Can a CT scan tell if a lymph node is cancerous?

Computed Tomography (CT) Scans CT scans are different than standard x-rays because they create a series of pictures taken from different angles and produce much clearer images. A CT scan of the chest or abdomen can help detect an enlarged lymph node or cancers in the liver, pancreas, lungs, bones and spleen.

When does Aortocaval compression happen?

Aortocaval compression syndrome is also known as a supine hypotensive syndrome. It typically occurs in pregnant females, usually after 20 weeks of gestation, when the patient is in the supine position.

What is hypotensive syndrome?

Supine hypotensive syndrome (also referred to as inferior vena cava compression syndrome) is caused when the gravid uterus compresses the inferior vena cava when a pregnant woman is in a supine position, leading to decreased venous return centrally.

What causes superior vena cava syndrome?

What causes superior vena cava syndrome? SVCS is caused when the flow of blood in the SVC vein slows. This vein carries blood from the head, neck, chest, and arms to the heart. Blood flow may be slowed by a blood clot, a tumor, or because the vein is being compressed by nearby tissue.

Where is the vena cava located pregnancy?

The vena cava is a large vein that begins around the area of your belly button. It is the vein that is responsible for bringing all the unoxygenated blood from your lower extremities to you heart.

Is supine hypotensive syndrome common?

However, up to 15% of women at term can demonstrate supine hypotensive syndrome of pregnancy, defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of at least 15–30 mmHg.

Why does the heart work harder than normal during pregnancy?

Because your body has extra blood, the heart has to pump faster to move this blood through. Your heart rate may increase by 10 to 20 extra beats per minute. In the second trimester, blood vessels in your body start to dilate or get bigger. This causes your blood pressure to lower slightly.

Do autoimmune diseases cause swollen lymph nodes?

Lymph nodes are an important part of your body’s immune system. Common swollen lymph nodes causes include infection, malignancy and autoimmune disorders.

Can enlarged lymph nodes be benign?

Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that your immune system is fighting off infection or illness. Swollen lymph nodes are more likely to be benign than malignant. Benign means the lymph nodes don’t contain cancer cells. Malignant means they do contain cancer cells.

Can lymph nodes stay enlarged for years?

Not every swollen lymph shrinks back down again. Occasionally, a node swells in response to an infection, but doesn’t go back to its normal size. You’ve had this node for years and said that you don’t have any of the classic lymphoma symptoms, such as night sweats, itching, breathlessness, etc.

What physiologic change might you see with a large Aortocaval fistula?

The most obvious physiologic change concomitant with the forma- tion of an AV fistula is the severalfold increase in blood flow, especially during diastole.