Utilizing radionuclide venography for evaluating superior vena cava syndrome secondary to retrosternal goiter: A case report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Medicine Cancer Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVC syndrome) due to a retrosternal goiter is exceptionally rare, with only a handful of documented cases in medical literature. The utilization of radionuclide venography is a valuable, noninvasive procedure that plays a crucial role in the comprehensive assessment of these rare occurrences. We present here a case of 55-year-old male patient referred to nuclear medicine department for evaluation of neck swelling. He had neck swelling for a past 06 years accompanied by dyspnea on lying down and had visibly dilated veins in the neck and anterior chest wall. Based on sign and symptoms of the patient, superior vena cava syndrome was provisional diagnosis and radionuclide venography with thyroid scan (and SPECT/CT) were performed. Scintigraphic findings favored SVC syndrome secondary to retrosternal goiter. Patient was referred to surgical department where subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. Histopathology showed benign thyroid nodular disease. The patient is now clinically stable, on thyroxine and his symptoms have resolved. Radionuclide venography stands out as a non-invasive and safe diagnostic tool that not only aids in the initial identification of SVC syndrome but also provides essential insights into collateral circulation dynamics.

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References

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