Superior vena caval obstruction american journal of medicine. Review of evolving etiologies, implications and treatment strategies. The superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a rare pathological process caused by the superior vena cava obstruction svco. Editor, obstruction of the superior vena cava svco is a condition which causes a variety of symptoms and signs in the upper body, such as oedema of the face, arms and neck, facial erythema. Open and endovascular treatment of superior vena cava. Superior vena cava obstruction radiology reference.
Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a relatively common sequela of mediastinal malignancies and may cause significant patient distress. Malignancyrelated superior vena cava syndrome uptodate. We are writing in response to the brief report entitled superior vena cava syndrome due to nonsmallcell lung cancer by citron. The superior vena cava svc is a large vein in the middle of the chest, behind the breast bone sternum. Pdf treatment of superior vena cava syndrome researchgate. Superior vena cava svc syndrome is a collection of clinical signs and symptoms resulting from either partial or complete obstruction of blood.
Pdf superior vena cava obstruction christian delcour. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs refers to the clinical syndrome with symptoms that results from this obstruction. The superior vena cava vcs is located in the anterior mediastinum, he carries venous blood from head, neck, upper extremities and upper. Superior vena cava svc syndrome results from any condition that. Superior vena cava obstruction svco happens when something blocks the blood from flowing along the svc. Superior vena cava svc syndrome has a characteristic and often striking clinical presentation, which can occa sionally be life threatening. With its ability to acquire near isotropic data, mdct allows highquality reformations and thus exquisitely displays these venous collaterals and has the potential to aid in planning therapy to bypass the obstruction. Pdf on jan 30, 2009, maria del valle and others published superior vena cava syndrome find, read and cite all the research you need on. It carries blood from the upper half of the body straight to the heart. Superior vena cava obstruction svco is an oncological emergency and any patients should be discussed with a registrar or above immediately, and with the local respiratory team or oncall oncology team at the beatson, as soon as possible to guide investigation and management. Superior vena cava syndromea proposed classification system. Superior vena cava syndrome statpearls ncbi bookshelf. Malignancies are the main cause and are considered an oncologic emergency. Superior vena cava obstruction svco macmillan cancer.
Today, the most common cause is superior mediastinal pressure associated with lung. As a tumour compresses superior vena cava a patient suffers from increasing swelling and discomfort in the arms and face and eventually dyspnoea and stridor develops as laryngeal oedema worsens. Initial management of superior vena cava obstruction introduction. Clinical manifestations include facial and neck swelling, distended neck veins, headache due to cerebral edema, dyspnea, and, in severe cases, stridor and altered mental status. Multiple collateral venous pathways can form to bypass an obstruction of the superior vena cava. Superior vena cava syndrome is an uncommon but serious complication that occurs in palliative care patients with lung cancer or metastases.
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