In superior vena cava syndrome svcs, this vein has. Superior vena cava syndrome in children springerlink. Less common is the compression of the inferior vena cava. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a group of symptoms that occur when there is pressure on the superior vena cava, or it is partially blocked and blood cant flow back to the heart normally. Diagnosis could be confirmed in 17 cases as one child. Any type of cancer like lymphoma, metastatic cancer can compress the veins of superior vena cava. Review of evolving etiologies, implications and treatment strategies. Obstruction of blood flow in the superior vena cava svc results in symptoms and signs of svc syndrome. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a group of signs and symptoms resulting from compression or occlusion of the superior vena cava.
Superior vena cava syndrome risks, symptoms and leading. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs, is a group of symptoms caused by obstruction of the superior vena cava svc, a short, wide vessel carrying circulating blood into the heart. Lymphoma or other tumors located in the mediastinum can also cause compression of the superior vena cava less often, the superior vena cava can become blocked with a blood clot from within. Although the diagnosis is usually easy, elucidation of the etiology is difficult. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first reported case of. The symptoms that result from compression of the large vein that carries blood down to the heart.
The syndrome develops as a consequence of a pathologic process within the mediastinum and is considered an oncologic emergency because of the acute cerebral syndrome that results from venous obstruction and increased intracerebral pressure. Superior vena cava syndrome causes, symptoms, treatment. Mediastinal fibrosis mf is one of the most common nonmalignant causes of superior vena cava syndrome svcs, along with thrombi forming on intravascular. Superior vena cava syndrome canadian cancer society. Malignancies are the main cause and are considered an oncologic emergency. The obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava svc into the right atrium may present as a severe clinical syndrome. Superior vena cava syndrome has typically been associated with malignant conditions. Venography showed occlusion of the superior vena cava, a finding consistent with the superior vena cava syndrome svcs. This section lists our premium articles on topics related to. The presence of this complication is an ominous prognostic sign, carrying a life expectancy of 4. Svc obstruction can cause svc syndrome which is the most common condition affecting this vessel. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs refers to the clinical syn.
A 41yearold woman was admitted five years ago with pain and swelling in the left arm. The superior vena cava is located in the middle of the chest and is surrounded by rigid structures and lymph nodes. Superior vena cava obstruction evaluation with mdct. Superior vena cava svc syndrome is a collection of clinical signs and symptoms resulting from either partial or complete obstruction of blood. Diagnosis could be confirmed in 17 cases as one child succumbed to severe respiratory distress without a definitive diagnosis. Svcs is a medical emergency if associated with laryngeal or cerebral edema. Its affection of the superior vena cava is rather rare with only a few cases described in the literature 2,3. Case presentation 58 yo female presented with cough productive of yellow sputum, sore throat and fever with chills for 1 week. In superior vena cava syndrome svcs, this vein has become obstructed or compressed to some degree.
She was seen earlier in clinic with similar complaints and given a course of zithromax. Superior vena cava syndrome svc syndrome slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Because the superior vena cava svc is located within the narrow space of the mediastinum, any intraluminal or extraluminal compression impairs venous drainage and results. Sep 01, 2017 the superior vena cava is one of the primary veins within our bodies. Nonhodgkins lymphoma nhl is the most common cause of svcs in children. Waardenburg syndrome and left persistent superior vena cava year. Superior vena cava syndrome in a person with bronchogenic carcinoma. The complications associated with superior vena cava syndrome can be fatal. Mar 17, 2015 superior vena cava syndrome svc syndrome slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs develops when your superior vena cava is partially or fully blocked. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs, a clinical manifestation arising from compression of the thinwalled superior vena cava svc, was first described by william hunter in 1757 and can be caused by a variety malignancies hunter and johnston 1757.
Superior vena cava syndrome symptoms, diagnosis and. The inferior vena cava ivc syndrome as the initial. The majority of cases are caused by malignant tumors within the mediastinum, most commonly lung cancer and nonhodgkins lymphoma, directly compressing or invading the svc wall. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a disorder defined by internal or external obstruction of the superior vena cava svc, leading to reduced venous blood return into the right heart. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is rare in childhood. Oct 01, 2017 superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava becomes blocked. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a group of symptoms that can occur in people who have lung cancer, lymphoma, or other cancers that involve the center of the chest. It is a medical emergency and most often manifests in patients with a malignant disease process within the thorax. Feb 29, 2016 superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a relatively common sequela of mediastinal malignancies and may cause significant patient distress. Superior vena cava svc syndrome was originally described as being secondary to an infection. A patient with svcs requires immediate diagnostic evaluation and therapy.
Chronic upper extremity deep vein thrombosis uedvt and superior vena cava syndrome svcs are becoming increasingly common due to the use of indwelling catheters and implantable central venous. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a relatively common sequela of mediastinal malignancies and may cause significant patient distress. The superior vena cava is a large vein that transmits blood from the upper body back to the heart. It transports blood from our arms, chest, neck, and head to our hearts. Superior vena cava syndrome in thoracic malignancies. The superior vena cava is one of the primary veins within our bodies. She was asymptomatic until six months before admission when she developed pain and swelling in. Primary or metastatic cancer in the upper lobe of the right lung can compress the superior vena cava.
A case of svc syndrome presenting with dyspnea, facial swelling, neck distension and cough developed over a period of 10 days is reported. Superior vena cava syndrome consists of a group of signs dilation of the veins in the neck, facial swelling, edema of the upper limbs, and cyanosis and symptoms. The superior vena cava syndrome svcs is defined as the set of signs and symptoms derived from superior vena cava obstruction, both intrinsic obstruction and extrinsic compression, which causes an increase in venous pressure in the upper. As more invasive medical procedures are being performed on patients, this cause of superior vena cava syndrome is being seen more frequently. Definition the superior vena cava is the major vein in the chest that carries blood from the upper part of the body in to the heart. The superior vena cava syndrome, which is characterized by facial plethora, jugular venous distension, and arm swelling, is a wellknown entity associated with bronchogenic carcinoma. The most common cause of superior vena cava syndrome is cancer. Surgical treatment of benign superior vena cava syndrome. This report an adolescent male who presented with svcs due to mixed germ cell tumor gct of the anterior mediastinum with predominant yolk cell component. Media in category superior vena cava syndrome the following 4 files are in this category, out of 4 total.
Svcs is the manifestation of impaired return of venous blood from the face, neck, upper extremities, and upper thorax. The resulting increased venous pressure in the upper body may cause edema of the head, neck, and upper. Clinical condition that occurs due to obstruction of the superior vena cava. Radioanatomy of the superior vena cava syndrome and therapeutic. Superior vena cava syndrome with laryngeal edema mimicking. Francesco puma and jacopo vannucci february 15th 2012. The presence of these collateral vessels is an important ancillary ct finding of superior vena cava syndrome, with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 92% 4. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava svc. This is most commonly due to tumours that either compress the vessel from the outside, or invade the vessel itself. I cant determine which if any is correct for this article, so i am asking for a sentient editor to look it over and copy the correct ref content into this article. Superior vena cava syndrome revealing a behcets disease. Superior vena cava syndrome ranjita pallavi,md internal medicine pgy2 2. The diagnosis can be made clinically, but imaging studies are recommended for confirmation. Superior vena cava svc syndrome is a clinical condition that occurs as a result of obstruction of the svc, leading to interrupted venous return from the head, thorax, and upper extremities to the right atrium.
Learn about superior vena cava syndrome from patients first hand experiences and trusted online health resources, including common treatments and medications. A restriction of the blood flow occlusion through this vein can cause superior vena cava syndrome svcs. This section lists our premium articles on topics related to death. It can occur as a side effect of pacemaker wiring or dialysis procedure and usage of intravenous catheters. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a collection of symptoms that usually occur in patients who have lung cancer, nonhodgkin lymphoma, or other cancers. The superior vena cava svc syndrome is a unique clinical entity first described by william hunter in 1757. Symptoms include facial edema, dyspnea, cough, neck distension, hoarseness and dysphagia, while severe cases may present with coma and severe respiratory distress.
Superior vena cava svc syndrome is typically dramatic. Although rarely fatal, may sometimes present as lifethreatening upper airway o. This summary explains svcs and its treatment in adults and children. Superior vena cava syndrome svcs is rare in children. Superior vena cava syndrome is a form of vessel obstruction that occurs as a result of mechanical compression or due to thrombosis. A 65yearold man presents to the emergency department ed. Svc obstruction can be caused either by invasion or external compression of the svc by contagious pathologic processes involving the right lung, lymph nodes, and other mediastinal structures, or by thrombosis of blood within the svc. Total absence of superior vena cava svc is a very rare anomaly, and the patient usually suffers from svc syndrome or conduction disturbances. Superior vena cava syndrome superior vena cava obstruction. Management of the superior vena cava syndrome associated with malignant conditions involves both treatment of the cancer and relief of the symptoms of obstruction. Pdf superior vena cava in a patient with superior vena. Review of evolving etiologies, implications and treatment. I was diagnosed with superior vena cava syndrome after my portacath was removed.
Superior vena cava syndrome guidelines bmj best practice. Superior vena cava svc syndrome is usually due to a neoplastic process, predominantly primary lung carcinoma, with a disproportionate number of patients having small cell histology. Superior vena cava syndrome possibilities of intervention therapy beran s. What kinds of treatment, including medication, have you or a relative received for superior vena cava syndrome. Superior vena cava svc obstruction can occur from extrinsic compression, intrinsic stenosis, or thrombosis. Sep 15, 20 superior vena cava syndrome is characterized by disruption of blood flow from the arms and head portions to the heart. It is a medical emergency and most often manifests in patients with a malignant disease. A clot was surgically removed from the left subclavian vein. Feb 19, 2014 superior vena cava syndrome svcs is obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava svc. Blood clot thrombus formation that causes superior vena cava syndrome is a complication of pacemaker wires,dialysis, and other intravenous catheters that are threaded into the superior vena cava. Superior vena cava syndrome is a common complication of malignancy. Blood from your upper body normally flows through the superior vena cava and into the right side of your heart. Superior vena cava syndrome definition of superior vena. Ultrasoundaccelerated thrombolysis was performed along with baremetal.
Pathophysiological mechanisms superior vena cava syndrome svcs is a partial or complete obstruction of the blood flow returning to the heart from the head, neck, upper thorax, and upper extremities. I had been treated for stage iv colon cancer, and finally got my port removed. Superior vena cava syndrome, topics in thoracic surgery, paulo f. I have found content for some of superior vena cava syndromes orphans, the problem is that i found more than one version. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Superior vena cava obstruction radiology reference article. Superior vena cava syndrome caused by an idiopathic localized. Svcs is a medical emergency if associated with laryngeal. Svcs is a significant disorder affecting up to 10 % of small cell lung cancer sclc patients and 24 % of all lung cancer patients. We present the case of a patient with behcets disease which was discovered during a superior vena cava syndrome. One of the benign causes of svc obstruction is the longterm use of indwelling catheters and wires, increasing the chances of svc thrombosis. Tumors, blood clots and thrombus in the mediastinum can cause compression. Anything like a blood clot or thrombus or compression on the vein can cause this disruption. This is most commonly due to tumours that either compress the.
May 01, 2008 superior vena cava syndrome svcs is rare in childhood. The superior vena cava syndrome svcs comprises various symptoms due to occlusion of the svc, which can be easily obstructed by pathological conditions eg, lung cancer, due to the low internal venous pressure within rigid structures of the thorax trachea, right bronchus, aorta. Mar 27, 2020 superior vena cava syndrome svcs is obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava svc. Superior vena cava syndrome mediastinal syndrome other names. Superior vena cava syndrome in hemodialysis patient molhem a. The full text of this article is available in pdf format. Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava becomes blocked.
Superior vena cava syndrome statpearls ncbi bookshelf. The median life expectancy among patients with obstruction of the superior vena cava is approximately 6 months. The superior vena cava is the large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms and chest to the heart. Superior vena cava syndrome in hemodialysis patient molhem. Superior vena cava svc syndrome results from any condition that leads to obstruction of blood flow through the svc. Description superior vena cava syndrome is a partial occlusion of the. Superior vena cava syndrome, phleboscanner, endoprosthesis, overload syndrome, central. I have found content for some of superior vena cava syndrome s orphans, the problem is that i found more than one version. Superior vena cava syndrome early after pacemaker implantation in. Currently, it is almost exclusively secondary to malignancy.
Superior vena cava syndrome possibilities of intervention. Malignancyrelated superior vena cava syndrome uptodate. Note the swelling of his face first thing in the morning left and its resolution after being upright all day right. Superior vena cava obstruction grading dr vikas shah and dr amir rezaee et al. Vena cava compression is a relatively rare initial manifestation of underlying malignancy. We report an asymptomatic 27 yearold male, with complete absence of svc.
149 646 1069 987 225 912 370 1178 73 889 1282 1478 867 469 564 1027 11 1250 1410 698 35 1434 533 1425 329 441 316 1019 324 348 783 506 1000 343 228 1445 872 534 756 1401 127 431 1242 658 572 426 578 1322 72 419