A primary cardiac sarcoma presenting with superior vena cava obstruction

Am J Emerg Med. 2012 Jan;30(1):264.e3-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2010.11.030. Epub 2011 Jan 28.

Abstract

Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction leads to a constellation of symptoms and signs that encompass the SVC syndrome. Today, malignancy accounts for 65% of all cases. The most common neoplastic causes are non–small cell lung cancer (50%), small cell lung cancer (25%), lymphoma, and metastasis. Primary cardiac tumors are an extremely rare cause of SVC obstruction. We describe the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with dyspnea, confusion, and facial swelling with cyanosis. The patient developed life-threatening airway obstruction after administration of anxiolytic. The diagnosis of SVC obstruction secondary to a primary cardiac sarcoma was established based on clinical, radiologic, and post-mortem findings. This is one of very few reported cases of a primary cardiac sarcoma causing SVC obstruction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Sarcoma / complications*
  • Sarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed