Vena cava syndrome, superior

Vena cava syndrome, superior
The symptoms that result from compression of the large vein that carries blood down to the heart. The superior vena cava is a large vein that transmits blood from the upper body back to the heart. The superior vena cava is located in the middle of the chest and is surrounded by rigid structures and lymph nodes. The structure bordering the superior vena cava include the trachea, aorta, thymus, right bronchus of the lung and pulmonary artery. Compression of the superior vena cava by disease of any of the structures or lymph nodes surrounding the superior vena cava can cause the superior vena cava syndrome. The superior vena cava syndrome is characterized by swelling of the face, neck and/or arms with visible widening (dilation) of the veins of the neck. Patients often have a persistent cough and shortness of breath. Others symptoms can be present including hoarseness, swelling around the eyes, fatigue, chest pain, headaches, and dizziness. The causes of the superior vena cava syndrome include cancer (malignancies) and non-cancer (benign) conditions. The common forms of cancer that can cause the superior vena cava syndrome are lung cancer, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), and cancer that has spread (metastasis) to the chest, more commonly breast and testicular cancer. Non-cancer causes of the superior vena cava syndrome include infections (such as tuberculosis, fungus, and syphilis), benign tumors (such as teratomas, thymoma, dermoid cyst), aortic aneurysm, pericarditis, sarcoidosis, irradiation treatment to the chest, air in the chest (pneumothorax), and complication of central line catheters and congenital heart surgery. The diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome can be made with the typical findings above. The diagnosis is supported by identifying a cause for the superior vena cava syndrome, typically requiring X-ray imaging or CAT or MRI scanning. The treatment of superior vena cava syndrome is directed toward the exact underlying cause. Therefore, treatment might include radiation treatment, antibiotics, chemotherapy, clot-busting (thrombolytic) drugs, blood thinners (anticoagulation), and balloon angioplasty, and even surgery. The outlook for patients with the superior vena cava syndrome depends on the underlying cause.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Superior vena cava syndrome — Classification and external resources Superior vena cava syndrome in a person with bronchogenic carcinoma. Note the swelling of his face first thing in the morning (left) and its resolution after being upright all day (right). ICD …   Wikipedia

  • Superior vena cava syndrome — The symptoms that result from compression of the large vein that carries blood down to the heart. The superior vena cava is a large vein that transmits blood from the upper body back to the heart. The superior vena cava is located in the middle… …   Medical dictionary

  • superior vena cava syndrome — A condition in which a tumor presses against the superior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart). This pressure blocks blood flow to the heart and may cause coughing, difficulty in… …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • Vena cava — The superior vena cava is the large vein which returns blood to the heart from the head, neck and both upper limbs. The inferior vena cava returns blood to the heart from the lower part of the body. The return of blood via the vena cava can be… …   Medical dictionary

  • Syndrome, superior vena cava — The symptoms that result from compression of the large vein that carries blood down to the heart. The superior vena cava is a large vein that transmits blood from the upper body back to the heart. The superior vena cava is located in the middle… …   Medical dictionary

  • Superior vena cava — Infobox Vein Name = Superior vena cava Latin = v. cava superior GraySubject = 172 GrayPage = 666 Image Heart diagram 250px Caption = Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow. Caption2 = Veins DrainsFrom …   Wikipedia

  • Síndrome de la vena cava superior — Superior vena cava syndrome Clasificación y recursos externos CIE 10 I87.1 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Inferior vena cava — Infobox Vein | Name = PAGENAME Latin = vena cava inferior GraySubject = 173 GrayPage = 677 Image Heart diagram 250px Caption = Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow. Caption2 = DrainsFrom = Source =… …   Wikipedia

  • Congenital stenosis of vena cava — Classification and external resources ICD 10 Q26.0 ICD 9 747.49 Congenital stenos …   Wikipedia

  • síndrome de vena cava superior — Eng. Superior vena cava obstruction syndrome Síndrome ocasionado por la obstrucción de la vena cava superior por lesiones expansivas de la parte superior del tórax que dificultan el retorno venoso cefálico ocasionando la elevación de la presión… …   Diccionario de oftalmología

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”