title: A man with dilated superficial abdominal veins: A clinical presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) varies tremendously depending upon the type of lymphoma and the areas of involvement. NHL can rarely present as an abdominal mass compressing the inferior vena cava. The clinical presentation due to obstruction of inferior vena cava has often been called the inferior vena cava syndrome (IVCS). It can present acutely or chronically.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 35-year-old male presented with 3 months history of fever, anorexia, weight loss and abdominal discomfort. His abdominal examination showed dilated superficial veins with blood flowing rostrally. CECT abdomen revealed multiple enlarged some necrotic, retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The inferior vena cava was noted to be compressed by the lymph nodes. The lymph node biopsy revealed non- Hodgkin lymphoma, precursor B cell.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An abdominal mass compressing the inferior vena cava is a rare but possible cause for appearance of dilated superficial abdominal veins and should be looked for.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: Khalid Hamid
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Changal
authors.affiliation: Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Sheikh Shoaib
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Altaf
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raina
keywords: Abdominal vein; None-hodgkin lymphoma; Vena cava