Korean J Nephrol.  2004 Mar;23(2):349-352.

A Case of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Due to Catheterization of the Internal Jugular Vein for Hemodialysis

• Kil UH
• Song HC
• Pack JS
• Kim JS
• Cho KJ
• Lee JI
• Nahm YJ
• Choi EJ
• Chang YS

Abstract

Most cases of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome are secondary to malignant disease and subacute in their presentation. However, the exponential increase in use of indwelling central venous catheters and cardiac pacemakers over the last two decades has resulted in more patients with SVC syndrome. Internal jugular vein cannulation has become the preferred approach for temporary hemodialysis catheter placement following the reports of an increased incidence of subclavian vein stenosis due to subclavian vein catheterization. We describe a patient who developed SVC syndrome after internal jugular vein catheterization. The patient had been swollen the left arm intermittently due to left central vein stenosis for 1 year and experienced balloon angioplasty and stent insertion for three times. We diagnosed the SVC syndrome through the both subclavian venography, which revealed complete obstruction of the left brachiocephalic vein with extensive collateral circulation and mild stenosis of the distal right internal jugular vein. Resolution of the clinical SVC sydrome occurred after catheter removal.

Keyword

Internal jugular vein catheter; Superior vena cava syndrome; Central vein stenosis

MeSH Terms

Angioplasty, Balloon
Arm
Brachiocephalic Veins
Catheterization*
Catheters*
Central Venous Catheters
Collateral Circulation
Constriction, Pathologic
Humans
Incidence
Jugular Veins*
Phlebography
Renal Dialysis*
Stents
Subclavian Vein
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome*
Veins
Vena Cava, Superior*