Superior Vena Cava Syndrome in Thoracic Malignancies

Superior vena cava syndrome in thoracic malignancies.

The superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) comprises various symptoms due to occlusion of the SVC, which can be easily obstructed by pathological conditions (eg, lung cancer, due to the low internal venous pressure within rigid structures of the thorax [trachea, right bronchus, aorta]). The resulting increased venous pressure in the upper body may cause edema of the head, neck, and upper extremitie...

Thoracic Superior Vena Cava

Studies were performed on anesthetized saline-loaded dogs to delineate the afferent and efferent mechanisms involved in the antinatriuretic response to acute constriction of the thoracic vena cava. The kidneys of the animals were denervated prior to study, and renal perfusion pressure was controlled throughout the experiment. To differentiate between the potential afferent stimuli, increased he...

Askin Tumor Presenting as Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome.

Approximately 15,000 cases of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction are diagnosed in the United States annually. Malignancies (primarily lung cancer) are the underlying cause of 80-85% of cases, leaving 15-20% caused by various benign conditions, including sclerosing mediastinitis (the diagnosis in our case). Thrombolytic therapy and major advances in vascular techniques in recent years have imp...

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

1.1 Anatomy The superior vena cava (SVC) originates in the chest, behind the first right sternocostal articulation, from the confluence of two main collector vessels: the right and left brachiocephalic veins which receive the ipsilateral internal jugular and subclavian veins. It is located in the anterior mediastinum, on the right side. The internal jugular vein collects the blood from head and...