title: Airway obstruction mimicking superior vena cava syndrome in a patient undergoing dialysis graft revision after ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve block.
abstract: A 25-year-old man presented for revision of a dialysis fistula in his left upper arm. An ultrasound-guided left supraclavicular block was performed, and 4 hours later during wound closure, the patient developed intermittent airway obstruction accompanied by edema of the face and upper airway. Superior vena cava syndrome was suspected, and awake fiberoptic tracheal intubation was performed. Partial obstruction of the left brachiocephalic vein and right internal jugular vein were identified while the patient was in the radiology suite. Sympathetic block and increased venous return from the left arm likely contributed to his airway obstruction that mimicked superior vena cava syndrome.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Veneet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jassal
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Bigeleisen