Aortic dissection presenting as superior vena cava obstruction—an unusual presentation

Abstract

Superiorvena cava (SVC) obstruction is typically dramatic, but the diagnosis is usually easy. However, elucidation of the etiology is more difficult. In this case report we present a case of 46-year-old smoker who presented with SVC syndrome, evaluation and investigations revealed a dissecting aortic aneurysm as an etiology. This highlights the fact that a dissecting aortic aneurysm can masquerade as a mediastinal mass bearing a resemblance with bronchogenic carcinoma in a chronic smoker. An index of suspicion and imaging modalities like a computed tomography scan is diagnostic.