Superior Venecaval Syndrome

By Dr Deepu
Images
Definition
History
Pathophysiology
Presentation and Findings
Causes
Diagnostic Workup
Management

Definition

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC). It is a medical emergency and most often manifests in patients with a malignant disease process within the thorax. A patient with SVCS requires immediate diagnostic evaluation and therapy.

History

William Hunter first described the syndrome in 1757 in a patient with syphilitic aortic aneurysm.

  In 1954, Schechter reviewed 274 well-documented cases of SVCS reported in the literature; 40% of them were due to syphilitic aneurysms or tuberculous mediastinitis.

Since the early reports, these infections have gradually decreased as the primary cause of SVC obstruction. Lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, is now the underlying process in approximately 70% of patients with SVCS. However, as many as 40% of cases are attributable to nonmalignant causes.

Pathophysiology