title: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the superior vena cava: computed tomography demonstration and review of the literature.
abstract: A case is reported of a 79-year-old man with rapid onset of superior vena cava syndrome caused by an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography showed a soft-tissue mass with punctate calcifications obstructing the superior vena cava and infiltrating adjacent fat. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a very rare primary mesenchymal tumor of the superior vena cava that often presents with calcifications. It should to be added to the differential diagnosis of tumors of the anterior mediastinum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiles
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Woodruff
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Choplin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D018323:Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media