Phrenic nerve palsy as a complication of superior vena caval stenting

Abstract

Superior vena cava obstruction typically results from either primary pulmonary malignancies, lymphoma, or fibrosis related to central catheters. Endovascular stenting of superior vena caval obstruction is a common first approach, due to the rapid clinical improvement typically seen. The commonest complications are recurrence of obstruction and stent migration. We present herein the case of a phrenic nerve palsy secondary to endovascular stenting in a patient with superior vena cava obstruction due to primary small cell lung cancer. Keywords: SVC, Obstruction, Stent, Phrenic, Nerve, Palsy