[Superior vena cava syndrome: Catheter association as a rare cause]

A 78 year-old-woman was admitted with a swollen face, edema of the lower eyelids and dyspnea. The past medical history revealed an ovarian carcinoma treated with polychemotherapy. Half a year before the patient had been investigated for similar clinical symptoms but no underlying cause had been detected. The histology of an enlarged axillary lymph node did not show a malignancy. The symptoms persisted after angioedema-inducing drugs had been discontinued.

Initial CT scan, magnetic-resonance tomography as well as positron emission tomography failed to explain the clinical findings. Also, testing of serological, immunological and endocrinological tests as well as the differential blood count did not reveal a likely cause of the clinical symptoms. However, 4 weeks later, a repeat CT scan showed a stenosis of the superior vena cava (SVC) establishing the diagnosis of an SVC syndrome.

The port catheter tipp was localized horizontal to the vena cava superior and was touching the vein wall. Removal of the catheter and subsequent balloon dilatation of the stenosis immediately lead to a reduction of the eyelid swelling.

Hence, in a case of an SVC-syndrome, complete stenosis caused by an implanted venous access system should be considered though it is rare.