Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pemberton's sign
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Pemberton’s sign is the development of facial plethora, distended neck and head superficial veins, inspiratory stridor and elevation of the jugular venous pressure (JVP) upon raising of the patient’s both arms above his/her head simultaneously, as high as possible (Pemberton’s maneuver).
Causes
Causes
A positive Pemberton’s sign is a sign of superior vena cava syndrome, possibly from a mass in the mediastinum, usually caused by a tumor or goiter.
Apical lung cancers often cause a positive Pemberton’s sign and a high index of suspicion should be maintained in patients with symptoms of dyspnea and facial plethora with an extensive smoking history.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]