Is facial swelling always an allergy? A case of superior vena
cava syndrome mimicking angioedema

Maria Zasadzińska; Wojciech Włodarczyk; Dominika Wójcicka; Krzysztof Piwowarek

doi:10.5114/pja.2026.161327

eISSN: 2391-6052
ISSN: 2353-3854

Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology

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abstract:

Is facial swelling always an allergy? A case of superior vena cava syndrome mimicking angioedema

Maria Zasadzińska

¹

,

Wojciech Włodarczyk

²

,

Dominika Wójcicka

²

,

Krzysztof Piwowarek

²

Department of Internal Medicine, Independent Public Specialist John Paul II Western Hospital, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland
Department of Internal Diseases, Infectious Diseases, and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pja.2026.161327

Online publish date: 2026/04/24

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Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a rare and life-threatening condition caused by the obstruction or compression of the superior vena cava, commonly due to malignancies, such as lung cancer. Diagnosing SVCS can be challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms that overlap with other conditions, such as angioedema. Making accurate differentiation may be critical for timely and appropriate patient treatment. This case report presents a 60-year-old female patient who was initially misdiagnosed with angioedema. However, after her condition showed no improvement despite implementation of multiple treatments, further investigation led to the accurate diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). The presented delay in diagnosis highlights the difficulty in recognising SVCS, a condition that mainly presents as facial and upper body oedema. This case emphasises the need for thorough differential diagnosis, careful clinical examination, and heightened awareness of SVCS, to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure proper management.

keywords:

Is facial swelling always an allergy? A case of superior vena cava syndrome mimicking angioedema

Maria Zasadzińska 1 , Wojciech Włodarczyk 2 , Dominika Wójcicka 2 , Krzysztof Piwowarek 2

lung neoplasms, oedema, angioedema, superior vena cava syndrome, superior vena cava obstruction

Maria Zasadzińska

¹

,

Wojciech Włodarczyk

²

,

Dominika Wójcicka

²

,

Krzysztof Piwowarek

²