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Case Reports
. 2008 Spring;17(1):43-6.
doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1278280.

Superior vena cava syndrome: A medical emergency?

Ronny Cohen  1 , Derrick Mena, Roger Carbajal-Mendoza, Ninon Matos, Nishu Karki
Affiliations
Case Reports

Superior vena cava syndrome: A medical emergency?

Ronny Cohen et al. Int J Angiol. 2008 Spring.

Abstract

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome was originally described as being secondary to an infection. Currently, it is almost exclusively secondary to malignancy. A case of SVC syndrome presenting with dyspnea, facial swelling, neck distension and cough developed over a period of 10 days is reported. The approach included imaging studies and tissue diagnosis. Computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a lobulated mass on the right upper chest invading the mediastinum, and cytology obtained from bronchoscopy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. The etiology, diagnosis and treatment modalities of the SVC syndrome are discussed.

Keywords: CT scan; Carcinoma; Catheter; Chemotherapy; Superior vena cava syndrome; Thrombosis.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Chest x-ray showing right apical pleural thickening, a large right upper lobe opacity (arrow) and minimal right basilar atelectasis/interstitial
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
Computed tomography of the chest with contrast showing a large lobulated mass on the right upper chest (large arrow) measuring 7.8 cm × 6 cm × 5.8 cm invading the mediastinum and extending to the apex and lateral chest wall (small arrow)
Figure 3)
Figure 3)
Computed tomography reconstruction (coronal plane) showing dilated azygos vein (arrow)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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