RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Superior vena cava syndrome caused by encapsulated pleural effusion
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1675
OP 1677
DO 10.1183/09031936.97.10071675
VO 10
IS 7
A1 CL Lai
A1 TT Tsai
A1 SC Ko
A1 KY Yang
A1 RP Perng
A1 YM Chen
YR 1997
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/10/7/1675.abstract
AB Pleural effusion is often a manifestation of the superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. However, pleural effusion has never been reported to be a cause of the SVC syndrome. We report the case of a 68 yr old male patient who presented with SVC syndrome and respiratory failure, both attributable to an encapsulated pleural effusion over the right upper mediastinum. Simple drainage was performed as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. The pleural effusion was confirmed to be a tuberculous empyema. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is the most appropriate initial diagnostic procedure for superior vena cava syndrome.