Oncological Emergencies Dr. Gary Harding md, frcpc

Etiology

• Before antibiotics the most common causes were from complications of untreated infection

• Syphilitic thoracic aneurysms
• fibrosing mediastinitis

• Malignancy is presently the most common cause

Symptoms and Signs

• As the obstruction develops venous collaterals are formed

• Symptom onset depends on speed of SVC obstruction onset

• Malignant disease can arise in weeks to months

• Not enough time to develop collaterals

• Fibrosing mediastinitis can take years to have symptoms

Symptoms and Signs

• Central venous pressures remain high even in collaterals

• High pressures cause the characteristic clinical picture

• Shortness of breath is the most common symptom1