What lies downstream? A case of superior vena cava syndrome presenting in the dermatology clinic: A case report

Rochelle Tonkin; Christopher Sladden

doi:10.1177/2050313X20919618

What lies downstream? A case of superior vena cava syndrome presenting in the dermatology clinic: A case report

SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 May 20:8:2050313X20919618. doi: 10.1177/2050313X20919618. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Rochelle Tonkin^{1

2}, Christopher Sladden^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada.
² Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
³ Department of Dermatology & Skin Science, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Abstract

A 75-year-old female presented with a 1 year history of a firm, diffusely swollen, and erythematous facial plaque. She had preceding unsuccessful investigations and treatment for angioedema. Full-skin examination revealed multiple prominent varicosities on the chest and abdomen. Superior vena cava syndrome was suspected. Solid facial edema (Morbihan's syndrome) and various infiltrates included in the differential diagnosis were ruled out with a skin biopsy. Chest computed tomography confirmed a complete superior vena cava thrombosis. Extensive workup for associated malignancy has to date been unremarkable, and as yet an underlying cause remains to be found.

Keywords: Dermatology; solid facial edema; superior vena cava syndrome; varicosities.

Publication types

Case Reports