SVC Syndrome

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

• NSCLC
• SCLC
• lymphoma
• metastatic lesions
• thrombosis around a central line

Question 2

Illness script

Answer 2

• rarely emergency
• presenting with edema - head, neck, arm, sometimes cyanosis, distended vessels
• usually in person with hx of malignancy, or presenting symptom of malignancy
• cough, hoarseness, dyspnea, stridor, HA, confusion, coma
• hemodynamic compromise due to decreased venous return

Question 3

Treatment

Answer 3

• Raise head of bed
• dexa 4mg q6h (benefit unclear)
• oxygen
• intubation if airway compromise
• intravascular stent only if patient is very symptomatic
• treatment of malignancy - get tissue bx if not diagnosed yet for staging