Superior vena cava syndrome: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
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*Lymphoma
*Lymphoma
*Indwelling vascular catheters
*Indwelling vascular catheters
==Diagnosis==
[[File:SVC_syndrome.jpg|thumb|CT chest showing R lung tumor compressing SVC]]
*CT with IV contrast
**Recommended imaging modality (assesses patency of the SVC, evaluate etiology mass vs. thrombus)
*[[CXR]]
**Shows mediastinal mass or paranchymal lung mass (10% of pts)
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Facial swelling DDX}}
{{Oncologic emergencies DDX}}


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
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**Confusion
**Confusion
**[[Seizure]]
**[[Seizure]]
==Diagnosis==
*CT w/ IV contrast
*
<gallery>
File:SVC_syndrome.jpg|CT chest showing R lung tumor compressing SVC
</gallery>
**Recommended imaging modality (assesses patency of the SVC, evaluate etiology mass vs. thrombus)
*[[CXR]]
**Shows mediastinal mass or paranchymal lung mass (10% of pts)
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Facial swelling DDX}}
{{Oncologic emergencies DDX}}


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
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**Anticoagulation, catheter removal, consider thrombolytics
**Anticoagulation, catheter removal, consider thrombolytics


==Source==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:Heme/Onc]]
[[Category:Heme/Onc]]

Revision as of 14:54, 21 January 2016

Background

  • External compression by extrinsic malignant mass causes majority of cases
  • Thrombus in SVC from indwelling catheter/pacemaker is increasingly more common as cause
  • Infection
  • Rarely constitutes an emergency
    • Gradual process; collaterals dilate to compensate for the impaired flow
    • Exception is neurologic abnormalities due to increased ICP, laryngeal edema causing stridor, decreased cardiac output

Risk Factors

  • Lung Cancer
  • Lymphoma
  • Indwelling vascular catheters

Diagnosis

CT chest showing R lung tumor compressing SVC
  • CT with IV contrast
    • Recommended imaging modality (assesses patency of the SVC, evaluate etiology mass vs. thrombus)
  • CXR
    • Shows mediastinal mass or paranchymal lung mass (10% of pts)

Differential Diagnosis

Facial Swelling

Oncologic Emergencies

Related to Local Tumor Effects

Related to Biochemical Derangement

Related to Hematologic Derangement

Related to Therapy

Clinical Features

Treatment

  • Elevate head of bed
  • Corticosteroids and loop diuretics have questionable efficacy and should be held until ordered by admitting team[1]
  • Intravascular stent
  • If malignancy
    • Mediastinal radiation
  • If thrombus
    • Anticoagulation, catheter removal, consider thrombolytics

References

  1. McCurdy M et al. Oncologic emergencies, part I: spinal cord compression, superior vena cava syndrome, and pericardial effusion. Emergency Medicine Practice. 2010; 12(2):7-10.