Superior vena caval syndrome: color flow Doppler detection of collateral venous channels.
Thrombosis of the superior vena cava (SVC) is an important clinical problem that requires prompt diagnosis. Confirmation of suspected SVC syndrome requires the use of an imaging study to document the obstruction and presence of collateral venous channels. Echocardiography is often used to evaluate suspected SVC obstruction; however, previous methods have allowed only indirect detection of collateral flow. We describe 3 patients with SVC obstruction in whom color flow Doppler allowed direct demonstration of collateral venous channels.
Division of Cardiology, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199,USA.
D A
DA
Tighe
J J
JJ
Paul
J C
JC
Huhta
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology