User:Mr. Ibrahem/Superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome (Mediastinal syndrome)
Other names	SVC obstruction
Superior vena cava syndrome in a person with bronchogenic carcinoma. Note the swelling of his face first thing in the morning (left) and its resolution after being upright all day (right).
Symptoms	Face, neck, or arm swelling, enlargement of the veins on the front of the chest, shortness of breath, cough
Complications	Stridor, cerebral edema
Usual onset	Over days to weeks
Causes	Cancer, blood clot, syphilis, aortic aneurysm, fibrosing mediastinitis
Risk factors	Central venous catheters, pacemaker
Diagnostic method	Medical imaging
Treatment	Elevation of the head of the bed, steroids, stenting, bypass surgery
Frequency	15,000 cases per year (USA)

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), is a group of symptoms that occurs as a result of blockage of the superior vena cava ("SVC"), a large vein carrying blood into the heart. Symptoms may include face, neck, or arm swelling, enlargement of the veins on the front of the chest, shortness of breath, red eyes, and cough. Less commonly stridor, headache, and decreased level of consciousness may occur. Onset is often over days to weeks.

It most commonly occurs due to cancer or blood clot within the blood vessel. The cancers most frequently involved are small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and metastatic tumors. It may also occur as a complication of intravascular devices such as central venous catheters or leads from pacemakers, certain infections such as syphilis, thoracic aneurysms, and fibrosing mediastinitis. Diagnosis is generally by medical imaging.

Initial management involves raising the head of the bed and potentially steroids. Other efforts depends on the underlying cause. If a clot is present, removal and anticoagulation therapy may be recommended. Blockage by cancer may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Other efforts may include stenting or bypass surgery. About 15,000 cases are estimated to occur a year in the United States. The condition was first described in 1757 by Hunter.