Chest
Volume 63, Issue 2, February 1973, Pages 292-293
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Selected Reports
Superior Vena Cava Obstruction Due to Sarcoidosis

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Obstruction of the superior vena cava due to sarcoidosis is described and to the best of our knowledge has not previouly been reported. Although the patient did not have the clinical manifestations of superior vena caval syndrome the obstruction is demonstrated by a superior vena cavagram. The obstructing mediastinal mass regressed with therapy.

Section snippets

CASE REPORT

A 24-year-old Negro woman was admitted to the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center with pleuritic-type chest pain and a nonproductive hacking cough of approximately two weeks' duration. The patient stated that she had a mild fever and also had a seven pound weight loss. Except for a few small palpable cervical and supraclavicular nodes the physical examination findings were essentially normal. There was no clinical evidence of superior vena caval obstruction.

DISCUSSION

Obstruction of the superior vena cava usually presents clinically with dilatation of the cervical and superficial trunk veins. If collateral circulation is inadequate, ruddy cyanosis, edema of the face, arms and upper thorax occurs. There is also marked patient discomfort in the recumbent position. Headaches, dizziness and syncope may result from cerebral anoxia. Venous pressures in the upper extremities are usually elevated. Chest roentgenograms may reveal fullness of the soft tissues of the

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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