Malignant superior vena cava syndrome: is this a medical emergency?

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome due to Thrombosis: A Rare Paraneoplastic Presentation of Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is not an uncommon occurrence in patients with malignancy and it is often described as a medical emergency. In majority of the cases, SVC syndrome occurs due to mechanical obstruction of the SVC by extraluminal compression with primary intrathoracic malignancies. However, intraluminal obstruction due to thrombosis can also produce symptoms and signs of SVC synd...

Mediastinal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Unknown Origin Presenting with Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS): A Case Report

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the mediastinum is a rare type of carcinoma. According to the literature, only five cases of this condition have been reported so far. In this paper, we present a rare case of mediastinal NEC of unknown primary site. The patient was a 34-year-old man with mediastinal NEC, who presented with chronic dry cough and a right-sided mediastinal mass one year p...

Askin Tumor Presenting as Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Presenting with Superior Vena Cava Thrombosis

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Due to Mediastinal Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome refers to a medical emergency resulting from compression of the SVC. It requires early diagnosis and treatment, and is usually caused by malignant tumors; rarely, mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis can cause SVC syndrome. Here, we present a case study of an immunocompetent 61-year-old woman who presented with acute onset SVC syndrome and was diagnosed with t...

Review of evolving etiologies, implications and treatment strategies for the superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a relatively common sequela of mediastinal malignancies and may cause significant patient distress. SVCS is a medical emergency if associated with laryngeal or cerebral edema. The etiologies and management of SVCS have evolved over time. Non-malignant SVCS is typically caused by infectious etiologies or by thrombus in the superior vena cava and can be manag...