Highlights
- •Superior vena caval aneurysms (SVCA) are rare true aneurysms.
- •SVCA diagnosis requires (i) a dilated SVC segment (Diameter > Aorta), & (ii) normal caliber both cranial and caudal to it.
- •Fusiform SVCAs are more common, developmental in origin and less sinister in contrast to Saccular SVCA.
- •Distal stricture and constrictive pericarditis are important imaging differentials for Fusiform SVCAs.
- •Unlike Saccular SVCAs, thromboembolism is rarely seen with fusiform SVCAs; and often successfully managed non-operatively.
Abstract
Superior vena cava (SVC) aneurysms are a rare occurrence. Given the rarity of SVC
aneurysms and their propensity to be overlooked or misinterpreted on imaging, it is
essential to be familiar with their appearance for accurate diagnosis, and to minimize
thromboembolic risk, complications from rupture and mass effect. This report of a
case of a massive fusiform SVC aneurysm that presented with pulmonary thrombo-embolism
highlights the nuances of making an imaging diagnosis of SVC aneurysm and reviews
the reported cases of fusiform SVC aneurysms that were diagnosed beyond childhood.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Clinical ImagingAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Primary fusiform superior vena cava aneurysm.Cardiol Res. 2017; 8: 176-178https://doi.org/10.14740/cr570w
- Giant saccular superior vena cava aneurysm-a rare and difficult clinical case.J Thorac Dis. 2016; 8: E247-E249https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2016.02.20
- Comprehensive imaging review of the superior vena cava.Radiographics. 2015; 35: 1873-1892https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2015150056
- Ruptured venous aneurysm of the persistent left superior vena cava.Angiology. 1981; 32: 656-659https://doi.org/10.1177/000331978103200912
- The right sided great vessels by cardiac multidetector computed tomography: normative reference values among healthy adults free of cardiopulmonary disease, hypertension, and obesity.Acad Radiol. 2009; 16: 981-987https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2009.02.013
- CT diagnosis of idiopathic aneurysms of the thoracic systemic veins.J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1985; 9: 305-309https://doi.org/10.1097/00004728-198503000-00014
- Aneurysmal dilatation of the superior vena cava.J Nucl Med. 1972; 13: 227-229
- Aneurysm of the superior mediastinal veins.J Vasc Surg. 1995; 21: 505-509https://doi.org/10.1016/S0741-5214(95)70294-6
- Saccular aneurysm of the superior vena cava.Rev Mal Respir. 1988; 5: 637-639
- Untreated superior vena cava aneurysm: radiological significance and review of the literature.Case Rep Radiol. 2016; 2016: 1-3https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6960757
- Congenital aneurysm of superior vena cava; report of one case with operative correction.Ann Surg. 1950; 131 (illust): 259-263https://doi.org/10.1097/00000658-195002000-00013
- Aneurysm of the superior caval vein.Vasc Surg. 1967; 1: 158-161https://doi.org/10.1177/153857446700100303
- Congenital superior vena cava aneurysm with complications caused by infectious mononucleosis.Chest. 1972; 62: 755-757https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.62.6.755
- Congenital aneurysm of the superior vena cava.Chest. 1974; 65: 566-568https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.65.5.566
- Idiopathic dilatation of the superior vena cava (IDSVC).Pediatr Radiol. 1974; 2: 167-173https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972729
- Aneurysm of the superior vena cava.Radiology. 1970; 95: 317-318https://doi.org/10.1148/95.2.317
- A case of asymptomatic fusiform aneurysm of the superior vena cava detected by magnetic resonance imaging.Int J Cardiol. 2006; 113: e39-e41https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2006.04.009
- A superior vena cava aneurysm discovered by chance at regular physical examination.Respir Investig. 2020; 58: 291-294https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resinv.2019.12.002
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 26, 2021
Accepted:
August 9,
2021
Received in revised form:
July 29,
2021
Received:
May 18,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
