title: Long-term success of endovascular treatment of benign superior vena cava occlusion with chylothorax and chylopericardium.
abstract: The most likely etiology of benign obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) include fibrosing mediastinitis and iatrogenic etiologies such as sclerosis and obstruction caused by pacemakers and central venous catheter. Percutaneous stenting of SVC has been used with success both in malignant and benign superior vena cava syndrome; however, long-term follow-up of endovascular procedures is not well known. We present a case of a patient with complete occlusion of SVC of benign etiology, presenting dramatically with bilateral chylothorax and chylopericardium with cardiac tamponade, who underwent successful vena caval revascularization with thrombolytic therapy and placement of self-expanding metallic stent. The 42-month follow-up could encourage endovascular procedures even in SVC syndrome of benign etiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital, Via S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy. veroux@mbox.unict.it
authors.forename: Pierfrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veroux
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veroux
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: Maria Giuseppina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tumminelli
authors.forename: Elda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baggio
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrillo
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013995:Time; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure