[Malignant stenosis of the superior vena cava]

Abstract

Superior vena cava syndrome is a distressing manifestation of a benign or malignant disease that obstructs the blood flow in the superior vena cava. Radiation and chemotherapy are often used to treat malignant forms of the disease. However, this therapy brings slow and sometimes incomplete regression of symptoms. Percutaneous administration of the metallic intravascular stents appears to be effective therapy. It offers immediate resolution and long-term relief of symptoms. Paper describes two patients with superior vena cava syndrome of a malignant aetiology where the incomplete but hemodynamicaly significant stenosis was successfully treated by percutaneous stenting.