A case of SVC thrombosis after right pneumonectomy for lung cancer

A 65-year-old man underwent a right pneumonectomy with combined resection of the azygos vein for lung cancer (moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, pT3N1M0, stage IIIA). Seventeen hours after surgery, he suddenly developed cardio-pulmonary insufficiency. Chest CT scan showed an enhancement defect in the superior vena cava (SVC) and left brachiocephalic vein. Under the diagnosis of SVC thrombosis, we surgically removed the thrombus and administered anticoagulants. The cardiopulmonary failure improved gradually, but he died of systemic cancer spread 63 days after pneumonectomy.