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Hi There, Over The Last Few Months I‘ve Developed Some

Posted on Sat, 28 Dec 2019

Question: Hi there,

over the last few months I‘ve developed some weird looking „wave“ that goes from my left rib cage all over to the right and consists of dozens of spider veins.

I‘ve read that this could be a result of superior vena cava syndrome and I am honestly scared. My rib cage looks just like the pictures of this syndrome :( I am 33, female, haven’t smoked a single cigarette in m whole life.

Other symptoms I have are mostly rib pain, occasionally back pain and a weird area of about 30 tiny red spots on my ankle. My blood work came back clear.

Other than that I don’t have any spider veins!!!

Can you think of any possible explanation? My doctors dismissed it as nothing without really looking at it.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Doesn't look like vena cava syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

I have looked at your Chest Xray uploaded in another query and that is not suggestive of any vena cava syndrome.

Regarding spider veins, sometimes they are benign and often happen because of change in body fat. If you can upload a close snapshot of one of them I might be able to judge better.

Overall, considering the Chest Xray and your age, I don't think it is vena cava obstruction.

Hope this helps.
regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (5 hours later)

thank you, they kind if look like this (sorry, no good lighting).

they are basically purplish lines that spread all ober my rib cage like this in the form of two %E2%80%9Ewaves%E2%80%9C that meet in the middle. very weird form!

I haven%E2%80%98t noticed any changes in body fat in the last few months!

thanks for your help, I am quite scared!

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (33 minutes later)

second picture

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No relation to vena cava syndrome

Detailed Answer:
These appear more of a skin issue to me, at least on these pictures.

You may consult a dermatologist for better understanding.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (5 hours later)

I tried to take some better pictures. It%E2%80%99s definitely something below my skin, like veins. My doctor also said it looks like spider veins but has no explanation as to why they suddenly appear and spread in such a distinct shape and place :( do you have any explanation? I am also including a picture of the red spots on my ankle, not sure if they%E2%80%99re related or if this is just another issue.

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (1 minute later)

my ankle

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most of the time cause is unknown

Detailed Answer:
Yes, it looks a bit like spider nevus but most of the time it is unrelated to any internal disease. Liver disease, thyroid disease, estrogen excess condition are some known causes.

I don't think you have got any of these. So probably a benign condition.

The ankle spots appear mostly unrelated.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee