SVC obstruction

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Heart, section through the middle

Superior vena cava obstruction; Superior vena cava syndrome

• Neck swelling , facial swelling , or arm swelling
• Swelling around the eye socket (periorbital)
• Sensation of head or ear "fullness"
• Reddish face or cheeks
• Reddish palms
• Reddish mucous membranes (inside the nose, mouth, and so on)
• Redness changing to blueness later
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vision changes
• Fainting
• Decreased alertness

An examination may show enlarged veins of the face, neck, and upper chest. Blood pressure is often high in the arms and low in the legs.

A bronchoscopy may be performed if lung cancer is suspected.

Obstruction of the SVC may show on:

• Chest x-ray
• CT scan of the chest or MRI of chest
• Coronary angiography
• Doppler ultrasound
• Radionuclide ventriculography

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Liver scan
• Abdominal MRI

Review Date: 05/03/2006
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.