A case of blepharophimosis due to facial edema caused by malignancy-related superior vena cava syndrome, effectively treated with double dose of Goreisan,a traditional Japanese (Kampo) prescription

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Double dose of Goreisan was effective in a case of blepharophimosis due to facial edema caused by malignancy-related superior vena cava syndrome. Case A 60-year old male patient diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue underwent brachytherapy, surgery, and several types of chemotherapy before cervical lymph node metastases developed. Cyberknife therapy was performed to reduce the volume of lymph node metastases, only to develop abscess and cause malignancy-related superior vena cava syndrome, leading to facial edema accompanied by blepharophimosis. Intravenous furosemide was not effective, so double dose of Goreisan, a traditional Chinese prescription was applied and the edema and blepharophimosis subsided immediately, thus enhanced the patient’s quality of life. Conclusion: Goreisan can be an effective option for cases of malignancy-related superior vena cava syndrome refractory to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.