[The superior vena cava syndrome in retrosternal goiter]

A case of superior vena cava syndrome in an 82-year-old woman who had been suffering from multinodular hyperfunctioning goiter for a long time is presented. The goiter was partially intrathoracic, benign, but affecting the superior mediastinum. The patient decided not to be operated on because of personal fears and the slow growth produced developments of collateral prethoracic circulation. The etiology of superior vena cava syndrome is of malignant tumor origin in 95% of cases. This case is presented because of its rareness, and the literature is reviewed.