Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Masquerading as Angioedema: A Chemotherapy Port Complication

Division

South Atlantic

Hospital

Grand Strand Medical Center

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

8-1-2024

Keywords

chemo port, chemotherapy access port, facial angioedema, implantable port, superior vena cava (svc), superior vena cava (svc) obstruction, superior vena cava (svc) syndrome

Disciplines

Cardiovascular Diseases | Internal Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neoplasms

Abstract

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a constellation of symptoms that occur secondary to external compression of the SVC, most commonly by a mediastinal malignancy. With the increased use of implanted cardiac devices and indwelling central venous catheters, SVC syndrome from a benign cause has become quite common. This report follows a 62-year-old female who was initially admitted to the critical care unit for treatment of angioedema without a history of malignancy but was found to have a surgically placed port used to treat her rheumatoid arthritis. Despite treatment of what was presumed to be angioedema, her symptoms failed to resolve. Imaging of the thorax revealed a venous thrombosis in the previously placed port. The port was subsequently removed, and the patient's symptoms hastily resolved. This case report underscores the importance of obtaining a thorough history, maintaining a broad differential diagnosis, and revising the differential when the patient's symptoms fail to improve.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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