SVC obstruction

Alternative names:

superior vena cava obstruction; superior vena cava syndrome

Symptoms:

• neck swelling, facial swelling, or arm swelling
• swelling around the eye socket (periorbital)
• 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

Note: Symptoms may begin suddenly or gradually and may worsen when bending over or lying down.

Signs and tests:

An examination may show dilated cutaneous (skin) vein 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
• MRI of chest or CT scan of the chest
• coronary angiography
• Doppler ultrasound
• radionuclide ventriculography

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

• liver scan
• abdominal MRI