Tumor mass in the lung with superior vena cava syndrome

Tatjana Petrovic Majstorovic; Mirela Juković; Gordana Vujasinović; Dragan Dragišić; Nemanja Petrović

doi:10.2298/AOO200521002P

Tatjana Petrovic Majstorovic Institute of Pulmonary Disease of Vojvodina, Department of Radiology, Put Dr Goldmana 4, 21204 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Mirela Juković Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department for Radiology, Hajduk Veljkova 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Gordana Vujasinović Institute of Pulmonary Disease of Vojvodina, Department of Radiology, Put Dr Goldmana 4, 21204 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Dragan Dragišić Institute of Pulmonary Disease of Vojvodina, Department of Radiology, Put Dr Goldmana 4, 21204 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Nemanja Petrović Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Put Dr Goldmana 4, 21204 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/AOO200521002P

Keywords: lung cancer, vena cava superior, syndrome

Abstract

Group of symptoms due to vena cava superior obstruction is named superior vena cava syndrome. A 65-year-old female, long-standing smoker was presented with a two-week history of dry cough and facial swelling. The patient noticed a palpable mass on the right side of the neck. Computer tomography scan with contrast showed extensive, irregular, non-homogenous consolidation in the right upper lobe, involving the right hilus, surrounding the aortic arch, supra aortic branches and pleural effusion at the right side of the body. Also, ultrasound examination of supra clavicular space showed enlarged pathologic hypoehogenic lymph node without an echogenic hilum. Ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy of lymph node was performed, and cytopathology findings showed metastatic lesion from primary microcellular lung cancer, IIIC stadium, cT4N3M0. Venous angioplasty was performed showing stenosis in the superior vena cava. After balloon dilatation, the stent was placed at the site of stenosis. The patient received chemio- and radiotherapy and survival time was seven months. Superior vena cava syndrome is an urgent clinical condition, and lung cancer is the leading cause of this syndrome. Computer tomography imaging findings and endovascular stent
placement are important for detection and management of the superior vena cava thrombosis.

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