Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 65. No. 2, 2026.
Case report
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2026.65.02.17
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Caused by Retrosternal Goiter: A Case Report
Sandra Doko Barišić
; Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Marija Pastorčić Grgić
; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirta Zekan Vučetić
; Department of Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Tiha Vučemilo
; Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Dubravka Krleža Supić
; Department of Anaesthesia, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome develops because of intravascular thrombosis
or extrinsic compression of the SVC. Current literature shows that 90%-
97% of SVC syndrome cases are due to malignant mediastinal disease, and a
small proportion of the cases develop because of benign conditions. The classic
symptoms include dyspnea, cough, headache, facial and arm swelling. We present
a rare case of SVC syndrome caused by retrosternal goiter in a 77-year-old
woman. After confirming the diagnosis, total thyroidectomy was performed,
resulting in complete remission of compressive symptoms. Multidisciplinary
management is necessary to avoid complications in the treatment of high-risk
patients with SVC syndrome.
Keywords
Superior vena cava syndrome; Retrosternal goiter; Case report
Hrčak ID:
347709
URI
Publication date:
10.6.2026.
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