Superior vena cava syndrome (vena cava superior syndrome) 1

General: Compression or obstruction of the superior vena cava by aortic aneurysms, mediastin 838h79i al neoplasms, thyroid adenoma, or carcinoma of the lung; found in males in their 50s.

Ocular: Glaucoma; conjunctival vasodilation; retinal hemorrhages (Valsalva retinopathy); eyelid edema; optic disk edema; engorgement of the conjunctival and episcleral vessels; periorbital edema.

Clinical: Cyanosis and edema of face, neck, and upper trunk with a rather sharp demarcation line (short cape edema); dysphagia; epistaxis; hoarseness; vertigo; tinnitus; may be caused by Graves disease and as a presentation of Behet disease.

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McArt BA, et al. Surgical reversal of superior vena cava syndrome: report of a case caused by intrathoracic goiter and associated with roentgenographic hilar vascular shadow simulating neoplasm of chest. Arch Surg 1954; 69:4.

Thomas I, et al. Behcet's disease presenting as superior vena cava syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol 1992; 26[5 Part 2]:863-865.