Superior vena cava syndrome: presentation of six cases

Superior vena cava syndrome is a devastating complication of obstructive lesions compromising the superior vena cava an its branches. Most cases today are caused by malignant tumors. The most frequent are lung carcinoma. The clinical presentation is dyspnea, vuvular enlargement, collateral circulation. Imaging techniques and histological confirmation are used for diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment is needed. The following report deals with six patients with superior vena cava syndrome. All entered our hospital through Emergency Department. The description of the principal symptoms and sings, the early diagnosis and the treatment.