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Thromb Haemost 2019; 119(04): 512-514
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1677712
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Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Superior Vena Cava Cancerous Thrombus Due to Squamous Cell Tongue Cancer: Virchow's Triad at Its Worst Version

John Papanikolaou
1   Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Trikala, Thessaly, Greece
2   Department of Critical Care, University Hospital of Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
,
Triantafyllia Koukoubani
3   Department of Critical Care, General Hospital of Trikala, Thessaly, Greece
,
Epaminondas Zakynthinos
2   Department of Critical Care, University Hospital of Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Publication History

22 August 2018

21 December 2018

Publication Date:
11 February 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Superior vena cava (SVC) cancerous thrombosis is extremely sparse, especially in the setting of extrathoracic tumours. Herein, we present the case of a patient with a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, who presented with SVC syndrome possibly secondary to symptomatic metastatic pericardial effusion. In this unique patient, the disastrous concurrence of all the elements of Virchow's triad within the confined anatomical space of SVC may have precipitated extensive vessel thrombosis with catastrophic consequences. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report about presence of SVC cancerous thrombosis in squamous cell tongue cancer. In this respect, our report may provide an unusual mechanism of tongue cancer expansion, which clinicians should be familiar with. In addition, it may highlight the clinical importance of SVC thrombosis on patients' clinical outcome, as well as the role of transoesophageal echocardiography in early detection of occult thrombi in the sub-set of patients with SVC syndrome.

Keywords

superior vena cava syndrome - cancerous thrombus - squamous cell tongue cancer - pericardial effusion

Authors' Contributions

J.P. and E.Z. conceived the study. J.P., T.F. and E.Z. participated in the acquisition and interpretation of data, drafted and critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


 

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