Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Retrospective Descriptive Study at Sanpasitthiprasong Hospital, UbonRatchathani

Abstract

The aim of this descriptive retrospective study was to study causes, diagnosis, results of treatment, time of survival and complications of patients with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Data collection on medical records of inpatients at ward of internal medicine, Sanpasitthiprasong Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2013 was performed. There
were 42 patients; 29 males and 13 females, aged between 22-84 years. The main presenting symptoms were dyspnea, arm swelling, and facial/neck swelling. Most common signs were arm edema, facial and neck edema, and venous distension of chest wall. The abnormalities found on x-rays were windening of mediastinum, lung mass, hilar mass, and pleural effusion. By lymph node biopsy and lung bronchoscopy, but not chest needle puncture, it was found that the cause of SVCS was mostly due to lung cancer. Complications were mostly acute upper air way obstruction. Other complications included pericardial effusion/ cardiac temponade, pulmonary embolism, and increase intracranial pressure. Major treatment was radiation therapy. Causes of death were superior vena cava thrombosis, sepsis, and cardiogenic shock. The median overall survival was 110 days. In general, most cause of SVCS was lung cancer. Therefore, pathological diagnosis will affect treatments, complications, and outcomes.