Show pageBacklinksCite current pageExport to PDFBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. **Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS)** is a **medical emergency** caused by **obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC)** — the major vein that drains blood from the head, neck, upper chest, and upper limbs into the heart. --- ### 🧠 **Etiology (Causes):** Most common cause: - **Malignancy (≈ 85%)**, especially: - **Lung cancer** (especially small cell) - **Non-Hodgkin lymphoma** - **Metastatic cancers (e.g., breast, testicular)** Other causes: - **Thrombosis** (especially from **central venous catheters or pacemaker wires**) - **Fibrosing mediastinitis** - **Aortic aneurysm or goiter compressing the SVC** --- ### 🩺 **Clinical Features:** Symptoms result from **impaired venous return** from the upper body: - **Facial swelling or fullness** - **Neck and upper limb swelling** - **Distended veins** on chest wall or neck - **Dyspnea**, cough, orthopnea - **Headache, dizziness, visual disturbances** - **Hoarseness** or **dysphagia** (due to local compression) - **Stridor** (if airway is compressed) Symptoms may be **worse when lying down**. --- ### 🧪 **Diagnosis:** - **Clinical suspicion** from history and exam - **Chest X-ray**: may show mediastinal widening or mass - **CT scan with contrast**: preferred imaging to confirm compression or thrombus - **MRI or venography**: alternative if CT is contraindicated - **Biopsy** if malignancy suspected --- ### 💉 **Management:** Depends on **underlying cause and severity**: #### 🔹 Supportive: - Elevate head of bed - Oxygen - Corticosteroids (if lymphoma suspected) - Diuretics (to reduce edema) #### 🔹 Specific: - **Radiation therapy** (often first-line if malignant) - **Chemotherapy** (especially in chemosensitive tumors like lymphoma) - **Endovascular stenting** (rapid symptom relief) - **Anticoagulation** if thrombosis --- ### ⚠️ Emergency Features: - Stridor - Laryngeal edema - Cerebral edema (confusion, decreased consciousness) These warrant **urgent intervention**, potentially **airway management** and **stenting**. superior_vena_cava_syndrome.txt Last modified: 2025/03/31 07:31by 127.0.0.1