Local thrombolytic therapy in superior vena cava syndrome secondary to malignant thymoma: a case report and literature review.

Superior vena caval (SVC) obstruction due to malignant thymoma is exceedingly uncommon. We report a case of SVC syndrome where local intravenous thrombolytic therapy uncovered an SVC tumor mass not detected by high resolution computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Local intravenous thrombolytic therapy may be therapeutic in central venous obstruction and may facilitate the diagnosis of the underlying cause of obstruction.