Acute inflow stasis of the vena cava superior is an emergency case. Because
of the rapidly rising venous pressure, life-threatening complications can
arise (e.g. cerebral hemorrhage, hemorrhagic venous infarcts). The main cau
se of central venous thrombosis is bronchial carcinoma(incidence: 3-5%). Ia
trogenic reasons are thrombosis caused by pacemaker electrodes, dialysis ca
theter, central vein catheters, implanted ports and radiation-induced venou
s fibrosis. In this case a patient with an esophageal carcinoma was pretrea
ted by a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The chemotherapy was given:through
a venous access port, which was implanted earlier. Radiation therapy with a
total of 60 Gy followed. After the esophagectomy the patient developed an
acute inflow stasis of the vena cava superior.