BACKGROUND: Lipomas are the most common form of benign soft tissue neoplasms and most frequently occur in the subcutaneous tissue. Rarely does a lipoma primarily arise from the arteries or veins. The most common location for an intravascular lipoma is the inferior vena cava, and rarely lipomas originate in the superior vena cava (SVC). Large lipomas of the SVC may be associated with central venous occlusive symptoms. There are only 7 cases of SVC lipomas reported in the literature. Here, we present only the second case of a large symptomatic lipoma located in the SVC, right internal jugular vein, and innominate veins. METHODS: We present a case of a 5-cm lipoma located in the SVC, discovered incidentally and surgically resected via median sternotomy. RESULTS: The patient underwent a successful open surgical resection of a symptomatic lipoma located in his SVC. CONCLUSIONS: Lipomas of the SVC are exceptionally rare, with only 7 cases described in the literature. This case demonstrates that lipomas can be safely excised from the SVC leading to resolution of central venous occlusive symptoms. A comprehensive literature review reveals that surgical resection is generally without complication, leads to resolution of symptoms, and does not require long-term follow-up.
BACKGROUND:Lipomas are the most common form of benign soft tissue neoplasms and most frequently occur in the subcutaneous tissue. Rarely does a lipoma primarily arise from the arteries or veins. The most common location for an intravascular lipoma is the inferior vena cava, and rarely lipomas originate in the superior vena cava (SVC). Large lipomas of the SVC may be associated with central venous occlusive symptoms. There are only 7 cases of SVC lipomas reported in the literature. Here, we present only the second case of a large symptomatic lipoma located in the SVC, right internal jugular vein, and innominate veins. METHODS: We present a case of a 5-cm lipoma located in the SVC, discovered incidentally and surgically resected via median sternotomy. RESULTS: The patient underwent a successful open surgical resection of a symptomatic lipoma located in his SVC. CONCLUSIONS:Lipomas of the SVC are exceptionally rare, with only 7 cases described in the literature. This case demonstrates that lipomas can be safely excised from the SVC leading to resolution of central venous occlusive symptoms. A comprehensive literature review reveals that surgical resection is generally without complication, leads to resolution of symptoms, and does not require long-term follow-up.