Superior vena cava obstruction

Case contributed by Hani M. Al Salam
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right-sided arm swelling.

Patient Data

Age: Adult
Gender: Male

Large invasive mediastinal mass that invades the superior vena cava resulting in venous obstruction. Prominent collaterals along the right side of the chest wall and base of neck.

The mass exerts severe narrowing of right pulmonary artery with no occlusion. It also obstructs right lower lobe bronchus with related consolidation.

Multiple subpleural lung masses are noted.

Moderate right and mild left pleural effusions.

Case Discussion

Superior vena cava obstruction by a pathologically proven small cell lung cancer resulting in SVC syndrome.

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