Congenital superior vena cava obstruction causing anasarca and respiratory failure in a newborn: successful transcatheter therapy.

Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is a rare entity in the pediatric population. It usually presents in association with either previous cardiac surgery or external compression from a neoplasm. We present the case of an infant born with congenital SVC obstruction and significant bilateral chylothorax and anasarca necessitating mechanical ventilation. Successful placement of an intravascular stent led to resolution of the chylothoraces with rapid clinical improvement. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.