Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (cont.)
What are the symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome?
Initially, there are few symptoms, however, over time, symptoms of superior
vena cava gradually develop. As the compression becomes more severe,
the patient may develop shortness of breath and swelling of the arms and face.
The symptoms occur because blood cannot return to the heart.
Without adequate blood return, it is hard for the heart to pump newly
oxygenated blood to meet the metabolic needs of the body. If blood cannot
return to the heart, it starts to back up and causes swelling of the areas where
the backup occurs.
Less common symptoms include:
- dilation of veins on the skin surface as
the body tries to establish new circulatory pathways to bypass the blockage, and
a blue tinge to the skin (because the backed up blood doesn't have enough oxygen
content)
- cough,
- shortness of breath,
- chest pain, and
- hoarseness.
How is superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed?
- A plain chest x-ray may show abnormal enlargement of the mediastinum or may
reveal a tumor in the lung.
- Ultrasound may be used to look for blood clots in the arm leading into the
chest.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the chest is most often used to
diagnose superior vena cava syndrome. While it will show the blockage and may
show a tumor, it will not necessarily diagnose the type of tumor.
- If a tumor is the cause of the obstruction, often a surgical procedure will
be required to obtain a biopsy (a small piece of tissue), to help make the
specific diagnosis as to the type of tumor.
Next: How is superior vena cava syndrome treated? »
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