title: Reevaluation of transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy in diagnosing superior vena cava syndrome.
abstract: Superior vena cava syndrome has various aetiologies but in the majority of cases it is caused by a malignant mass. Assessment of the underlying pathology as rapidly and reliably as possible is very important for proper therapy management. Dynamic computed tomography examination of the chest can differentiate patients in whom superior vena cava obstruction is caused by a mass, from those with a vascular aetiology. In patients with a mass, fine needle aspiration biopsy guided by the computed tomographic examination may provide cytological diagnosis in a fast and well tolerated manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: O B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*