An otolaryngologic examination was unremarkable except for an unusually narrow upper airway. On inspection, the patient's hands were swollen and showed signs of pitting edema (Figure 1A). Inflammatory parameters and complete blood count were normal.
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans of the neck and chest revealed an enlarged retropharyngeal space (Figure 1B) and a mass compressing the superior vena cava (Figure 1C). A transthoracic needle biopsy showed a non–small-cell carcinoma. Radiotherapy resulted in clinical improvement and a rapid reduction in compression of the superior vena cava.
The exact incidence of superior vena cava syndrome remains unknown, It has mainly malignant causes.
Nonmalignant causes can include aneurysm of the aorta, thromboses after implanted intravascular catheters or fibrosing mediastinitis.
Classically, compression of the superior vena cava leads to visible swelling and venous distension in the face, neck, chest and upper limbs. Other symptoms of varying severity can occur, from cough, hoarseness and dyspnea to headache, confusion and visual symptoms. In patients who are overweight, swelling of the neck may go unnoticed, and signs such as obstructive sleep apnea or edema of the upper limb may point to the diagnosis.
