link
Bookmarks
Gastrointestinal
Diagnosis
Abdominal Manifestations of Systemic Conditions
Vascular Disorders
Superior Vena Cava Obstruction
Superior Vena Cava Obstruction
Siva P. Raman, MD
To access 4,300 diagnoses written by the world's leading experts in radiology, please log in or subscribe.Subscribe
0
4
1
2

KEY FACTS

  • Terminology

    • Imaging

      • Pathology

        • Clinical Issues

          • Diagnostic Checklist

            TERMINOLOGY

            • Abbreviations

              • Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction

            • Synonyms

              • Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

            • Definitions

              • Occlusion of SVC by extrinsic compression, tumor invasion, or intrinsic thrombus

            IMAGING

            • General Features

              • Imaging Recommendations

                • CT Findings

                  • Ultrasonographic Findings

                    • Nuclear Medicine Findings

                      • Radiographic Findings

                        DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

                          PATHOLOGY

                          • General Features

                            • Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features

                              CLINICAL ISSUES

                              • Presentation

                                • Demographics

                                  • Natural History & Prognosis

                                    • Treatment

                                      DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST

                                      • Consider

                                        • Image Interpretation Pearls

                                          Selected References

                                          1. Hoang VT et al: The focal hepatic hot spot sign with lung cancer in computed tomography. Respirol Case Rep. 8(8):e00671, 2020
                                          2. Klein-Weigel PF et al: Superior vena cava syndrome. Vasa. 49(6):437-48, 2020
                                          3. Sonavane SK et al: Comprehensive imaging review of the superior vena cava. Radiographics. 35(7):1873-92, 2015
                                          4. Rachapalli V et al: Superior vena cava syndrome: role of the interventionalist. Can Assoc Radiol J. 65(2):168-76, 2014
                                          5. Katabathina VS et al: Imaging of oncologic emergencies: what every radiologist should know. Radiographics. 33(6):1533-53, 2013
                                          6. Sheth S et al: Superior vena cava obstruction evaluation with MDCT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 194(4):W336-46, 2010
                                          7. Cheng S: Superior vena cava syndrome: a contemporary review of a historic disease. Cardiol Rev. 17(1):16-23, 2009
                                          8. Saranteas T et al: Transesophageal echocardiography and vascular ultrasound in the diagnosis of catheter-related persistent left superior vena cava thrombosis. Eur J Echocardiogr. 10(3):452-5, 2009
                                          9. Lv FQ et al: Doppler superior vena cava flow evolution and respiratory variation in superior vena cava syndrome. Echocardiography. 25(4):360-5, 2008
                                          10. Eren S et al: The superior vena cava syndrome caused by malignant disease. Imaging with multi-detector row CT. Eur J Radiol. 59(1):93-103, 2006
                                          11. Lau D et al: Correction of superior vena cava syndrome with superficial femoral vein juguloatrial bypass. Ann Vasc Surg. 20(6):839-41, 2006
                                          12. Pieri S et al: Endovascular treatment of benign superior vena cava syndrome: venographic patterns and implications for treatment. Radiol Med. 110(4):359-69, 2005
                                          13. Qanadli SD et al: Helical CT phlebography of the superior vena cava: diagnosis and evaluation of venous obstruction. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 172(5):1327-33, 1999
                                          14. Bashist B et al: Abdominal CT findings when the superior vena cava, brachiocephalic vein, or subclavian vein is obstructed. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 167(6):1457-63, 1996
                                          15. Magnan PE et al: Surgical reconstruction of the superior vena cava. Cardiovasc Surg. 2(5):598-604, 1994
                                          16. Kim HJ et al: CT diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome: importance of collateral vessels. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 161(3):539-42, 1993
                                          17. Doty DB et al: Bypass of superior vena cava. Fifteen years' experience with spiral vein graft for obstruction of superior vena cava caused by benign disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 99(5):889-95; discussion 895-6, 1990
                                          Related Anatomy
                                          Loading...
                                          Related Differential Diagnoses
                                          Loading...
                                          References
                                          Tables

                                          Tables

                                          KEY FACTS

                                          • Terminology

                                            • Imaging

                                              • Pathology

                                                • Clinical Issues

                                                  • Diagnostic Checklist

                                                    TERMINOLOGY

                                                    • Abbreviations

                                                      • Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction

                                                    • Synonyms

                                                      • Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

                                                    • Definitions

                                                      • Occlusion of SVC by extrinsic compression, tumor invasion, or intrinsic thrombus

                                                    IMAGING

                                                    • General Features

                                                      • Imaging Recommendations

                                                        • CT Findings

                                                          • Ultrasonographic Findings

                                                            • Nuclear Medicine Findings

                                                              • Radiographic Findings

                                                                DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

                                                                  PATHOLOGY

                                                                  • General Features

                                                                    • Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features

                                                                      CLINICAL ISSUES

                                                                      • Presentation

                                                                        • Demographics

                                                                          • Natural History & Prognosis

                                                                            • Treatment

                                                                              DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST

                                                                              • Consider

                                                                                • Image Interpretation Pearls

                                                                                  Selected References

                                                                                  1. Hoang VT et al: The focal hepatic hot spot sign with lung cancer in computed tomography. Respirol Case Rep. 8(8):e00671, 2020
                                                                                  2. Klein-Weigel PF et al: Superior vena cava syndrome. Vasa. 49(6):437-48, 2020
                                                                                  3. Sonavane SK et al: Comprehensive imaging review of the superior vena cava. Radiographics. 35(7):1873-92, 2015
                                                                                  4. Rachapalli V et al: Superior vena cava syndrome: role of the interventionalist. Can Assoc Radiol J. 65(2):168-76, 2014
                                                                                  5. Katabathina VS et al: Imaging of oncologic emergencies: what every radiologist should know. Radiographics. 33(6):1533-53, 2013
                                                                                  6. Sheth S et al: Superior vena cava obstruction evaluation with MDCT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 194(4):W336-46, 2010
                                                                                  7. Cheng S: Superior vena cava syndrome: a contemporary review of a historic disease. Cardiol Rev. 17(1):16-23, 2009
                                                                                  8. Saranteas T et al: Transesophageal echocardiography and vascular ultrasound in the diagnosis of catheter-related persistent left superior vena cava thrombosis. Eur J Echocardiogr. 10(3):452-5, 2009
                                                                                  9. Lv FQ et al: Doppler superior vena cava flow evolution and respiratory variation in superior vena cava syndrome. Echocardiography. 25(4):360-5, 2008
                                                                                  10. Eren S et al: The superior vena cava syndrome caused by malignant disease. Imaging with multi-detector row CT. Eur J Radiol. 59(1):93-103, 2006
                                                                                  11. Lau D et al: Correction of superior vena cava syndrome with superficial femoral vein juguloatrial bypass. Ann Vasc Surg. 20(6):839-41, 2006
                                                                                  12. Pieri S et al: Endovascular treatment of benign superior vena cava syndrome: venographic patterns and implications for treatment. Radiol Med. 110(4):359-69, 2005
                                                                                  13. Qanadli SD et al: Helical CT phlebography of the superior vena cava: diagnosis and evaluation of venous obstruction. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 172(5):1327-33, 1999
                                                                                  14. Bashist B et al: Abdominal CT findings when the superior vena cava, brachiocephalic vein, or subclavian vein is obstructed. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 167(6):1457-63, 1996
                                                                                  15. Magnan PE et al: Surgical reconstruction of the superior vena cava. Cardiovasc Surg. 2(5):598-604, 1994
                                                                                  16. Kim HJ et al: CT diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome: importance of collateral vessels. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 161(3):539-42, 1993
                                                                                  17. Doty DB et al: Bypass of superior vena cava. Fifteen years' experience with spiral vein graft for obstruction of superior vena cava caused by benign disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 99(5):889-95; discussion 895-6, 1990