Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Due to a Substernal Nontoxic Goiter

Abstract

Superior vena cava syndrome is a clinically well-recognized entity caused by malignant mediastinal neoplasms in 80% of Instances. A rare benign cause of the superior vena cava syndrome due to a retrosternal thyroid is presented. This case illustrates that it is the site of the mass and the completeness of obstruction, rather than the actual size of the mass, that determine the extent of collaterals that develop.