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Malignant superior vena cava syndrome presenting after trauma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Laura A. Price  and
Trevor L. Gilkinson
Laura A. Price
Affiliation:
Resident, Royal College Emergency Medicine Program, University of Western Ontario London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.
Trevor L. Gilkinson*
Affiliation:
London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, 375 South St., London ON N6A 4G5; lprice3@julian.uwo.ca; tgilkins@julian.uwo.ca

Summary:

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A 41-year-old man was brought to the ED after a motor vehicle crash. On presentation, he demonstrated symptoms compatible with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, including extreme dyspnea, face and neck cyanosis and facial swelling. A chest tube was inserted and drained large amounts of sanguineous fluid. An exploratory thoracotomy revealed an extensive tumour encasing the SVC and the hilum. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma.

The most common cause of SVC syndrome is malignant disease, with bronchogenic carcinoma and lymphoma being most frequent. Review of the literature uncovered only a few anecdotal reports of traumatic SVC syndrome. There are no previous reported cases of malignant SVC syndrome presenting in association with trauma.

Keywords

superior vena cava syndrometraumalymphomadyspnea
Type
Case Reports • Observations
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , July 1999 , pp. 112 - 114
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 1999

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