Stenting and superior vena caval syndrome

The use of intravascular stents in the management of Superior Vena Caval Obstruction is a relatively recent development. We describe our experience with six patients, aged between 64 and 85 years who developed SVC obstruction secondary to malignant disease and who had one or more intravascular stents inserted. Five of the patients had lung cancer and one metastatic breast carcinoma. Positive histology was available in three cases. A partial or complete clinical response was seen in all patients and two patients developed recurrent symptoms. Stenting appears to provide effective palliation of SVC obstruction symptoms.