Superior vena cava syndrome: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 40: Line 40:
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
*Elevate head of bed
*Elevate head of bed
*Assess for and treat [[elevated intracranial pressure]]
*Corticosteroids and loop diuretics have questionable efficacy and should be held until ordered by admitting team<ref>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.</ref>
*Corticosteroids and loop diuretics have questionable efficacy and should be held until ordered by admitting team<ref>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.</ref>
*Intravascular stent
*Intravascular stent

Revision as of 21:49, 17 February 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
  • Assess for and treat elevated intracranial pressure
  • 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.