The superior vena cava is a medical term for the superior vena cava. This vein is very important for the body. This carries blood from the arms and head to the heart. When the vein becomes blocked it is called superior vena cava syndrome. This syndrome can cause numerous complaints. Treatment is therefore necessary. The doctor will try to remove the blockage as quickly as possible so that the blood can flow towards the heart again.
Vena cava superior
Superior vena cava, also abbreviated VCS, is a medical term for the superior vena cava. This vein has many important functions for our body, including returning blood from our arms and head to the heart.
Superior vena cava syndrome
This superior vena cava becomes a syndrome when it is clogged. This will usually be caused by a growth in the chest area. This mainly concerns lung tumors, lymph node tumors, breast tumors or metastases from other tumors. The tumor tissue slowly closes the vein. This process happens very slowly. In the beginning, the vein is only partially blocked, so you will not experience any complaints. As the tumor pushes the vein further closed, it becomes more difficult for blood to flow and you will experience complaints. In exceptional cases, superior vena cava syndrome can also be caused by a blood clot or a serious infection of the chest cavity. Superior vena cava syndrome is a fairly rare syndrome and occurs in approximately 500 people annually in Europe.
Complaints
If you develop superior vena cava syndrome you will experience symptoms. These complaints may include:
- A swelling of the face
- A swelling of the arms
- Blurry sight
- Headache
- Nausea
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing
- Pain in the chest area
- Difficulty swallowing
- A swelling of the veins in the neck area
- Dizziness
- Vomit
You don’t have to develop all these symptoms. If you have some of these symptoms , it is better to visit your doctor.
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Physical examination
When you visit your doctor and you have these complaints, the doctor will perform a physical examination. He mainly pays attention to the pressure in your veins and characteristics such as swelling. Blood will not be taken because this is pointless if the vein is clamped.
Imaging
If the doctor suspects from the history and physical examination that you may have the syndrome, he will want to perform other tests. A CT scan or MRI is usually chosen. A CT scan uses contrast. When the scan is made, you can see very clearly through the contrast whether there is a blockage and where it is. This is a little more difficult to see via an MRI, but it is also a reliable examination. The advantage of imaging is that the doctor not only sees where the blockage is, but also what causes it. This partly determines the treatment of the superior vena cava syndrome.
Therapy
The aim of the treatment is to remove the blockage so that your blood can flow properly again. The complaints you have will then automatically reduce and disappear. In order to remove the blockage, it is therefore very important to know what causes the blockage. In the case of a tumor, an attempt will be made to shrink the tumor. The doctor will then adjust the treatment for your tumor. If the treatment of the tumor does not work and the vein is largely compressed, the doctor may choose to place a stent. This stent is inserted into the vein and pushes the tumor tissue aside, allowing blood to flow again. Keep in mind that the stent will always remain in place. In the case of an aggressive tumor, it can grow through the stent, causing the stent to lose its effect over time.If you have an infection in the chest area, the doctor will use antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to try to eliminate the inflammation so that it no longer obstructs the vein. In case of a thrombosis you will have to take blood thinners for a long time. These dissolve the clot, causing the blockage to disappear.