• Shelly Zimmerman and Matthew Davis.
• Emergency Medicine Residency, Norman Regional Health Systems, GME Office, 901 North Porter, Norman, OK 73071, USA; Department of Family Medicine, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1111 West 17th Street, # A247, Tulsa, OK 74107, USA. Electronic address: szimmerman@nrh-ok.com.
• Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. 2018 Aug 1; 36 (3): 577-584.

AbstractSuperior vena cava syndrome occurs from obstruction of the superior vena cava. The most common cause is malignancy. Small cell lung cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the most frequent culprits. Intravascular devices associated with thrombus are becoming more common causes. Classic symptoms include edema, plethora, and distended veins of the face, neck, and chest; shortness of breath; cough; headache; and hoarseness. Treatment in the emergency department is mostly supportive, with head elevation, oxygen, and steroids. Rarely, emergent airway issues and cerebral edema must be addressed. Definitive treatment includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and stenting.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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