An alternative technique of superior vena cava obstruction bypass using bovine pericardial conduit is described. The patient in this case had recurrent bilateral thrombophlebitis and thrombosed saphenous veins. Most of the surgical techniques reported in the literature so far have described the use of polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) graft, polytetrafluoroethylene graft, autologous pericardial patch, and spiral vein graft. The use of synthetic grafts has been plagued with high rates of thrombosis. The pathology, clinical presentation, surgical technique, and outcome are discussed.
Matched MeSH terms: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome/drug therapy
Superior vena caval syndrome (SVCS) is a debilitating condition attributed to malignancy in more than 70% of cases. However, solitary head and neck metastases arising from renal cell carcinomas without evidence of disease elsewhere are rare. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma presenting as a rapidly growing right cervical lymph node with compression on the subclavian vein causing superior vena caval syndrome (SVCS). There was pulmonary embolism as well. Biopsy of the neck mass confirmed metastatic clear cell carcinoma with primary found in the (L) kidney. The patient had partial response to focussed radiotherapy to neck mass and Sunitinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) before succumbing to the disease.
Matched MeSH terms: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome/drug therapy