Superior vena cava syndrome (patient information)
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Superior vena cava syndrome |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Superior vena cava syndrome |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
SVC obstruction is a narrowing or blockage of the superior vena cava, the second largest vein in the human body. The superior vena cava moves blood from the upper half of the body to the heart.
What are the symptoms of Superior vena cava syndrome?
Symptoms occur when something blocks the blood flowing back to the heart. They may begin suddenly or gradually, and may worsen when you bend over or lie down.
Early signs include:
- Swelling around the eye
- Swelling of the face
- Swelling of the whites of the eyes
The swelling will most likely be worse in the early morning hours and go away by mid morning.
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath (dyspnea) and swelling of the face, neck, trunk, and arms.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Decreased alertness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headache
- Reddish face or cheeks
- Reddish palms
- Reddish mucus membranes (inside the nose, mouth, and other places)
- Redness changing to blueness later
- Sensation of head or ear "fullness"
- Vision changes
What causes Superior vena cava syndrome?
Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is a relatively rare condition.
Most often it is caused by a cancer or a tumor in the mediastinum (the area of the chest under the breastbone and between the lungs).
The types of cancer that can lead to this condition include:
- Breast cancer
- Lymphoma
- Metastatic lung cancer (lung cancer that spreads)
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thymic tumors
Superior vena cava obstruction can also be caused by noncancerous conditions that cause scarring. These conditions include:
- Histoplasmosis infection
- Inflammation of a vein (thrombophlebitis)
- Lung infections (such as tuberculosis)
Other causes of superior vena cava obstruction include:
- Aortic aneurysm
- Blood clots in the superior vena cava
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
- Catheters placed in the large veins of the upper arm and neck may cause blood clots in the superior vena cava.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of SVC obstruction. Complications are serious and can sometimes be fatal.
Diagnosis
An examination may show enlarged veins of the face, neck, and upper chest. Blood pressure is often high in the arms and low in the legs.
- A bronchoscopy (a lighted tube placed through the mouth into the windpipe and lungs) may be performed if lung cancer is suspected.
Blockage of the SVC may be visible on:
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan of the chest or MRI of chest
- Coronary angiography (a heart blood vessel study)
- Doppler ultrasound (sound wave test of the blood vessels)
- Radionuclide ventriculography (nuclear study of heart motion)
This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:
- Abdominal MRI
- Liver scan
Treatment options
- The goal of treatment is to relieve the blockage.
- Diuretics ("water pills") or steroids may be used to relieve swelling.
- Other treatment options may include radiation or chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, or surgery to remove the tumors. Surgery to bypass the obstruction is rarely performed. Placement of a stent to open up the SVC is available at some medical centers.
Where to find medical care for Superior vena cava syndrome?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Superior vena cava syndrome
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The outcome varies depending on the cause and the amount of blockage. SVCS caused by a tumor is a sign that the tumor has spread, and it indicates a poorer long-term outlook.
Possible complications
- The throat could become blocked, which can block the airways.
- Increased pressure may develop in the brain, leading to changed levels of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, or vision changes.
Prevention
Prompt treatment of other medical disorders may reduce the risk of developing SVC obstruction.