Thymoma Inducing Superior Vena Caval Syndrome

Thymomas are one of the most common tumors of the anterior mediastinum afflicting adult population. Approximately half of the patients have no complaints, and the diagnosis is, made incidentally on the chest radiograph done for different issues. However, symptoms may arise from compression of the mass on the trachea, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the esophagus, the superior vena cava or other mediastnal structures. Invasive thymoma with transcaval extension to the right atrium is a rare cause of superior vena cava syndrome. We present a case of a 63-year-old man presenting with dyspnea on exertion and facial and upper extremity swelling. Physical examination showed marked edema of face, upper torso and distention of superficial veins of the anterior chest wall and jugular veins. On elaborate investigations, it was revealed to be a case of Type B1 Masoka IVA invasive thymoma. The mass was removed employing open-heart surgery along with SVC reconstruction.