SVC Syndrome: Can We Predict SVC Syndrome on CT?

Authors

  • Mi-Jin Kang Department of Radiology, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University

Keywords:

SVC syndrome

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate imaging findings of superior vena cava syndrome(SVCS) on CT to predict SVCS in malignancy patients.

 

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From Janunary 2010 to August 2011, chest CTs with narrowing or obstruction of superior vena cava(SVC) were searched from hospital imaging database. After that patients were classified into two groups; SVCS group and non-SVCS group, based on clinical manifestation of SVCS. The long diameter of tumor, presence or absence of intratumoral nerosis, short diameter of SVC, presence or absence of architecture distortion of SVC, subcutaneous edema, and collateral vessels were evaluated.

Differences between SVCS group and non-SVCS group were analyzed using the Wilconcox test and x2 test (p<0.05).

RESULTS: A total of 29 patient were included in this study. Among them, 11 patients were SVCS group, and 18 patients were non-SVCS group. The mean diameter of main mass was 8.2cm and 5.5cm in SVCS group and non-SVCS, respectively (p=0.04). The presence of collateral vessels was significantly frequent in non-SVCS group (n=4 of 18, 22%) than SVCS group (n= 1of 11, 9%)  (p<0.01). The prevalence of chest wall edema was much frequent in SVCS group, but there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.09). The central necrosis of the main mass were found in 5 of 11 in SVCS group (45%), and in 8 of 18(44%) in non-SVCS group (p=0.72). There was no statistical significant difference in SVC diameter or architecture distortion between two groups.

 

CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the predictive imaging findings of SVSC in malignant patients leads to more proper management of patients.

References

National Cancer Institute. Cardiopulmonary syndromes. 2005.

Schraufnagel DE, Hill R, Leech JA, et al. Superior vena caval obstruction. Is it a medical emergency?. Am J Med. 1981 Jun. 70(6):1169-74.

Klassen KP, Andrews NC, Curtis GM. Diagnosis and treatment of superior-vena-cava obstruction. AMA Arch Surg. 1951 Sep. 63(3):311-25.

Flounders J. Superor vena cava syndrome. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2003. 30(4):E84-8.

Ahmann FR. A reassessment of the clinical implications of the superior vena caval syndrome. J Clin Oncol. 1984 Aug. 2(8):961-9..

Sakura M, Tsujii T, Yamauchi A, et al. Superior vena cava syndrome caused by supraclavicular lymph node metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol. 2007 Oct. 12(5):382-4.

Nieto AF, Doty DB. Superior vena cava obstruction: clinical syndrome, etiology, and treatment. Curr Probl Cancer. 1986 Sep. 10(9):441-84.

Lochridge SK, Knibbe WP, Doty DB. Obstruction of the superior vena cava. Surgery. 1979 Jan. 85(1):14-24.

Akoglu H, Yilmaz R, Peynircioglu B, et al. A rare complication of hemodialysis catheters: superior vena cava syndrome. Hemodial Int. 2007 Oct. 11(4):385-91..

Houman M, Ksontini I, Ben Ghorbel I, et al. Association of right heart thrombosis, endomyocardial fibrosis, and pulmonary artery aneurysm in Behçet's disease. Eur J Intern Med. 2002 Oct. 13(7):455.

Downloads

Published

2017-02-15

How to Cite

Kang, M.-J. (2017). SVC Syndrome: Can We Predict SVC Syndrome on CT?. Asian Journal of Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Sciences, 5(1). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJPNMS/article/view/4438