Central Venous Occlusive Disease (CVOD) involves occlusion of a major central vein. It encompasses the superior vena cava syndrome.
Occlusion is defined as a luminal loss > 50%. Occlusion may be related to thrombosis, scarring or compression.
Veins that may be occluded include:
(1) superior vena cava
(2) subclavian
(3) brachiocephalic
It is most often associated with chronic hemodialysis.
It can also occur in:
(1) intra-thoracic malignancy
(2) trauma
(3) iatrogenic (external beam radiation, central catheter, surgery, etc)
(4) mediastinal fibrosis
The syndrome can be asymptomatic but often is associated with bothersome symptoms:
(1) swelling of head, neck and upper extremities
(2) cyanosis
(3) dyspnea
(4) stridor
(5) dysphagia
(6) hoarseness
