title: The cause of superior vena cava syndrome: diagnosis with percutaneous atherectomy.
abstract: The cause of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) in two patients was identified by means of endovascular biopsy of the superior vena cava (SVC) performed with a percutaneous atherectomy catheter. In both cases, the extracted tissues were neoplastic, therefore obviating additional invasive procedures. After a specific diagnosis was established, external-beam radiation therapy was used to treat the SVCS. The atherectomy catheter was used in conjunction with other percutaneous techniques, including balloon angioplasty and endovascular stenting of the SVC.
authors.affiliation: Miami Vascular Institute, Baptist Hospital of Miami, FL 33176.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Dake
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zemel
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Dolmatch
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Katzen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications