Dysphagia as a manifestation in superior vena cava syndrome

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 17; no. 9; p. e257231
• Main Authors: Ortega Beltrá, Noelia, Ferrero Coloma, Sara María, Matías Sánchez, Manuel, Pons Rocher, Francisco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 12.09.2024; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Anticoagulants; Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Biochemistry; Blood clots; Blood tests; Catheterization, Central Venous - adverse effects; Catheters; Chemotherapy; Compression therapy; Deglutition Disorders - diagnosis; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Diagnosis, Differential; Dysphagia; Dyspnea; Dyspnea - etiology; Ear, nose and throat; Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; Edema; Edema - etiology; Emergency medical care; Emergency medicine; Erythema; Humans; Interventional radiology; Male; Middle Aged; Neck; Patients; Pulmonary arteries; Steroids; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - diagnosis; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - etiology; Thorax; Thrombosis; Ultrasonic imaging; Veins & arteries; Venous access; Venous thromboembolism; Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; Interventional radiology; Emergency medicine; Venous thromboembolism
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-257231

The differential diagnosis of dysphagia and dyspnoea with cervicofacial oedema is wide and includes diseases with variable prognosis that may require an urgent approach. This article presents the case of a middle-aged man who came to the emergency room referring to the symptoms described, with a history of central venous access established approximately 4 years ago. The patient was diagnosed with superior vena cava syndrome and treated with anticoagulants and removal of the catheter. After a week of admission with anticoagulation, the patient clinically improved with a considerable decrease in thrombus and pharyngolaryngeal and subcutaneous mucosal oedema. In the differential diagnosis of dysphagia and dyspnoea, we must also consider systemic diseases, and more specifically, these symptoms such as those described, and think about this entity because of its severity.