Superior vena cava syndrome (Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment)
What the symptoms and signs provides the state?
Early in the disease may be a partial shutdown of the superior vena cava to be asymptomatic, or there are modest signs and symptoms that are often overlooked. As the syndrome progresses, common symptoms and signs of the syndrome swelling of the face and especially around the eyes, nasal congestion, visual disturbances, headache, dizziness, thicker neck, swelling of the arms, extension of the veins of the front / upper chest and veins in the arm. Wheezing are the most frequent symptoms and affects more than 60% of those with the condition. Chest pain, cough and difficulty swallowing is sometimes described.
Symptoms are most prominent in the morning and when the patient lies down or bends forward because the pressure in the veins on the "outside" of the blockage as increases.
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How is the diagnosis?
Typical signs and symptoms of medical examination may be suggestive of the condition. Blood tests have limited value.
Radiographs of the chest may reveal the underlying cause, but the findings may be nonspecific. CT should be performed for suspected superior vena cava syndrome. The study provides more precise information on localization and may be indicative of recovery of tissue sample (biopsy) through mediastinoscopy, bronchoscope through the chest wall. CT also provides information about the condition of the bronchi and vocal cords. This information is important because swelling / tightness in these symptoms requires rapid action to relieve the pressure.
Other relevant studies can be MR and contrast examination of the vein.
What is the treatment?
The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and try to cure the underlying disease. Treatment involves reducing the blockage of the superior vena cava, usually with radiation therapy or chemotherapy treatment for most malignant conditions. It is also possible to operate an artificial vein, a stent, past the stricture. With non-cancer, surgery is often necessary.
The symptoms alleviated temporarily by encouraging the patient to sleep with your head high during sleep, and by judicious use of diuretics. Only a small proportion of patients with rapidly emerged superior vena cava syndromes are at risk for life-threatening complications. Emergency therapy, for example, cortisone, is required by signs of swelling in the brain (consciousness disorders), severe heart failure or swelling of the lining of the airways.
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