THROMBOSIS OF THE SUPERIOR VENA CAVA BY

Complete thrombotic occlusion of the superior vena cava is rare. Ochsner and Dixon (1936) in a review of the world literature were able to collect 120 cases, of which only 10 could be termed idiopathic. The following is a case which was of exceptional interest in that there were very few symptoms, and the condition,h.d been present for nearly 50 years. CASE REPORT A single woman, aged 65, was seen in August, 1940, on account of swelling of the left arm and hand. PAST HISTORY.-As a girl she had always been healthy. Large veins had been present in her neck, chest, and abdomen as long as she could remember. They were certainly present when she was 12 years of age, and probably when she was 8 years or younger. The veins did not appear suddenly, and she did not remember ever having had swelling or blueness of the face. As she grew older the veins increased in size, but she did not think that any new ones appeared. The condition of her veins never caused her any inconveni-ence. Varicose veins appeared in her legs after the age of 30, this condition being ver